Right-sided Aortic Arch with Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery in a Pregnant Female: A Case Report and Literature Review

Am J Med Case Rep. 2020;8(6):143-147.

Abstract

Right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery is a rare variant of vascular anatomy. Three types of right-sided aortic arches are described and classified based on the arrangement of the aortic arch vessels, the presence or absence of congenital heart abnormalities, the relationship of the aortic arch to the trachea and esophagus, as well as the presence or absence of a complete or incomplete vascular ring. On review of the existing literature, 31 case reports were found with a spectrum of clinical presentation sand outcomes. In this case report, we highlight a case of a young female in her early 20'swho presented with choking spells, shortness of breath along with intermittent dysphagia since childhood. She was otherwise healthy and pregnant at 26 weeks gestational age. A Computed tomography scan with angiography (CTA) of the thorax was performed to rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE) however surprisingly, a right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery was revealed instead. Subsequently, an extensive literature review was carried out to better understand clinical presentation sand treatment strategies for this rather rare disorder.

Keywords: aberrant left subclavian artery; congenital abnormalities; right aortic arch; right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery; vascular ring.