What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery
• Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery
• Diverticulum of Kommerell 

What is Aberrant Subclavian Artery? (Definition/Background Information)

• 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)
• 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

(Source: Aberrant Subclavian Artery; Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) of National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), USA.)

Who gets Aberrant Subclavian Artery? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Aberrant Subclavian Artery is a rare congenital disorder. The presentation of symptoms may occur at birth
• Both males and females may be affected
• Worldwide, individuals of all racial and ethnic groups may be affected

What are the Risk Factors for Aberrant Subclavian Artery? (Predisposing Factors)

• Currently, no risk factors have been clearly identified for Aberrant Subclavian Artery

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Aberrant Subclavian Artery? (Etiology)

The exact cause of Aberrant Subclavian Artery is not known. It is believed to be an anomaly of the aortic arch during embryonic development.

• During embryonic development, the aortic arch gets remodeled. During this process, certain portions of the aortic arch disappear, with simultaneous appearance of other structures or parts of this arch. This process works in a coordinated fashion to form an anatomically correct aortic arch
• When there is an abnormality in this process, structural anomalies can result, either due to non-disappearance of embryonic parts, or failed development of parts, both if which are typically programmed to occur
• There may be genetic and/or environmental factors that contribute to the development of the disorder

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Aberrant Subclavian Artery?

The signs and symptoms of Aberrant Subclavian Artery may vary among affected individuals. While some of those affected may be asymptomatic, others may experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
• Wheezing, difficulty with breathing
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Chest pain
• Blocked superior vena cava
• Formation of aneurysm

How is Aberrant Subclavian Artery Diagnosed?

• Aberrant Subclavian Artery is often discovered and diagnosed as an incidental finding (such as through a barium swallow or echocardiogram)
• Children with symptomatic Aberrant Subclavian Artery should be carefully evaluated for additional vascular and heart anomalies

(Source: Aberrant Subclavian Artery; Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) of National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), USA.)

Once Aberrant Subclavian Artery is diagnosed, the following methods may be used to gather more information:

• Complete physical examination
• Thorough medical history evaluation
• Assessment of signs and symptoms
• Laboratory tests
• Imaging studies, including vascular angiograph studies

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Aberrant Subclavian Artery?

The complications of Aberrant Subclavian Artery may include:

• Weight loss due to compression of esophagus (food pipe) causing dysphagia lusoria
• Difficulty breathing and frequent lung infections (due to compression of trachea)
• Voice defects due to compression of nerves in the recurrent laryngeal nerve (Ortner’s syndrome)
• Rupture of aneurysm

Complications may occur with or without treatment, and in some cases, due to treatment also.

How is Aberrant Subclavian Artery Treated?

No treatment is required for asymptomatic Aberrant Subclavian Artery. If symptoms are present, surgical correction of the anomaly is the recommended treatment option

How can Aberrant Subclavian Artery be Prevented?

• Currently, Aberrant Subclavian Artery may not be preventable, since it is a congenital disorder
• Active research is currently being performed to explore the possibilities for treatment and prevention of disorders such as Aberrant Subclavian Artery
• Regular medical screening at periodic intervals with tests and physical examinations are recommended

What is the Prognosis of Aberrant Subclavian Artery? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Aberrant Subclavian Artery is dependent upon the severity of the signs and symptoms and associated complications, if any
• Individuals with mild conditions have better prognosis than those with severe symptoms and complications
• Typically, the prognosis may be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Aberrant Subclavian Artery:

• Aberrant Subclavian Artery is also known by the following additional synonym: Lusorian Artery

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/rare-disorders/