Aberrant subclavian artery

Synonyms

Aberrant subclavian artery syndrome
Aberrant right subclavian artery
Aberrant left subclavian artery

Overview

Aberrant subclavian artery is a rare vascular anomaly that is present from birth. It usually causes no symptoms and is often discovered as an incidental finding (such as through a barium swallow or echocardiogram). Occasionally the anomaly causes swallowing difficulty (dysphagia lusoria). One the subclavian artery arises from an abnormal location on the aortic arch. The defect may cause compression of organs such as the airway and the voice box. Swallowing symptoms in children may present as feeding difficulty and/or recurrent respiratory tract infection. When aberrant subclavian artery causes no symptoms, treatment is not needed. If the anomaly is causing significant symptoms, treatment may involve surgery. Children with symptomatic aberrant subclavian artery should be carefully evaluated for additional vascular and heart anomalies.

Symptoms

  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Airway obstruction
  • Trachea obstruction
  • Stridor
  • Apnea
  • Cyanosis
  • Recurring infection

Causes

  • Harrod Doman Keele syndrome
  • Velocardiofacial syndrome

Diagnosis

High Blood Pressure:

  • Home Blood Pressure Tests
  • Home Blood Pressure Monitors
  • Home Heart Tests

Heart Health:

  • Heart Rate Monitors
  • Irregular Heartbeat Detection
  • Heart Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Home Cholesterol Tests

Treatment

Surgery is sometimes used to treat the condition.

Resources

  • NIH