Aneurysms of an aberrant right subclavian artery: report of two cases

Aneurysm of the aberrant right subclavian artery is rare. We report two patients who underwent successful repair using hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion. One patient presented with progressive dysphagia to solids and hoarseness of voice due to pressure exerted by the expanding aneurysm, and the second patient, with a dissected subclavian aneurysm, presented with transient ischaemic attacks and a previous cerebral infarct secondary to embolism. Repair in both patients was done through a median sternotomy with femoral arterial and right atrial venous cannulation. Under hypothermic circulatory arrest, the origin of the subclavian aneurysm was divided off the aorta and closed with a Dacron patch from outside the aorta in one patient, and from within the aorta in the other patient. Concomitant revascularisation of the right upper limb was achieved using a 12-mm Hemishield Dacron graft from the ascending aorta to the distal right subclavian artery. The graft to subclavian anastomosis was done under hypothermic circulatory arrest as distal control was not possible. The graft to the aortic anastomosis was done over a side-biting clamp during rewarming. Both patients were successfully treated without major morbidity.