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Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Creation of Two Saccular Elastase-Digested Aneurysms with Different Hemodynamics in One Rabbit
Published on: April 15, 2021
[Aberrant subclavian artery]
Yasuhisa Fukada1, Y Matsui, T Kunihara
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, NTT East Corporation Sapporo Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
Insights
Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) aneurysms are rare but life-threatening. Surgical intervention is often indicated, though conservative management may be suitable for select patients, as demonstrated in this case series.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Anomalies
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) is the most common congenital anomaly of the aortic arch.
- Aneurysms of the ASA are rare but pose a significant risk of rupture and mortality.
- Surgical repair is generally recommended for ASA aneurysms.
Observation:
- A review of 4 cases of ASA aneurysms treated over 23 years.
- All patients were male, aged 51-73 years.
- Three patients presented with a right-sided aortic arch.
Findings:
- Only one patient required surgical intervention (total arch replacement).
- Three patients were managed conservatively with follow-up periods of 1, 7, and 23 years.
- Conservative management can be a viable option for specific ASA aneurysm cases.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the variability in ASA aneurysm presentation and management.
- It suggests that conservative follow-up may be appropriate for certain patients, challenging the universal surgical indication.
- Further research is needed to refine indications for surgery versus conservative management in ASA aneurysms.
Abstract:
Aberrant subclavian artery (ASA) is the most frequently encountered congenital anomaly of aortic arch. The ASA aneurysms are rare but potentially lethal disease, it has been recognized that the presence of an aneurysm of an ASA itself is an indication for surgery. We experienced 4 cases with ASA during the past 23 years. All cases were male. Their ages ranged from 51 to 73 years old. Three patients had a right-sided aortic arch. Among the 4 patients, only 1 underwent total arch replacement, but the other 3 patients could be followed conservatively for 1, 7 and 23 years, respectively. We reviewed the problem of the diagnosis and treatment of the ASA including surgical indication.
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