Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 2, 2026
08:04
Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
18.3K
[ABERRANT RIGHT SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY (ARSA)--A NEW ULTRASOUND MARKER FOR CHROMOSOMAL FETAL ABNORMALITIES].
Akusherstvo I Ginekologiia
|September 29, 2015
Summary
Prenatal diagnosis of aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) via ultrasound is feasible in the second trimester. ARSA detection is crucial for assessing fetal chromosomal abnormalities, particularly in cases with additional sonographic findings.
Area of Science:
- Fetal medicine
- Medical imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- The fetal aorta typically forms three main branches: the brachiocephalic artery, left carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.
- Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is a rare variant where the right subclavian artery arises as a separate fourth branch from the aortic arch.
- ARSA occurs in about 2% of normal individuals but is significantly more prevalent (25-37%) in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the success rate of ultrasound visualization of the fetal right subclavian artery (RSA) between 18 and 23 weeks of gestation.
- To assess the significance of prenatal ARSA diagnosis in evaluating the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities during the second trimester.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound examinations were performed on 992 fetuses by experienced sonographers using Voluson 730 Expert equipment.
- The study period was from September 2013 to June 2014.
- Fetal RSA visualization success rate and ARSA incidence were recorded, along with associated findings.
Main Results:
- Successful visualization of the fetal RSA was achieved in 92.7% of the 992 scanned fetuses.
- Seventeen cases of ARSA were diagnosed, with 13 being isolated findings.
- Four ARSA cases were associated with other pathologies, including trisomy 21, trisomy 18, Di George syndrome, and single umbilical artery, highlighting the association with chromosomal abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal diagnosis of ARSA through ultrasound in the second trimester is achievable with high success rates by experienced practitioners.
- ARSA detection can be integrated into routine fetal morphology scans with minimal additional time.
- Given the strong association between ARSA and fetal chromosomal abnormalities, its sonographic evaluation should be recommended in second-trimester fetal echocardiography protocols.
Related Concept Videos
01:10The Arch of Aorta
2.3K
The coronary arteries, originating from the ascending aorta, bifurcate from two sinuses located within the ascending aorta. Positioned just above the aortic semilunar valve, these sinuses house essential aortic baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, crucial for maintaining cardiac function. The left coronary artery and the right coronary artery branch off from the left posterior and anterior aortic sinuses, respectively.
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
2.3K
01:12Arteries of the Upper Limbs
3.1K
The subclavian artery transitions into the axillary artery as it exits the chest and enters the axillary region. This artery is critical for supplying blood to the shoulder area, including the head of the humerus, through the humeral circumflex arteries. As the vessel continues into the upper arm or brachium, it becomes the brachial artery. This artery plays a key role in vascularizing the brachial region and bifurcates at the elbow into several branches. These branches include the deep...
3.1K