DefinitionDouble aortic arch is an abnormal formation of the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is a congenital problem, which means that it is present at birth.See also: Vascular ringAlternative NamesAortic arch anomaly; Double archCauses, incidence, and risk factorsDouble aortic arch is a common form of a group of defects that affect the development of the baby's aorta in the womb. These defects cause an abnormal formation called a vascular ring -- a circle of blood vessels.Normally, the aorta develops from one of several curved pieces of tissue (arches). As babies develop in the womb, the arches split into several parts. The body breaks down some of the arches, while others form into arteries. A normally developed aorta is a single arch