Is it useful to evaluate the presence of aberrant right subclavian artery in prenatal diagnosis ultrasounds?

Abstract

Analyze if the evaluation of aberrant right subclavian artery in the prenatal echography has improved the detection of chromosomal, genetic and/or morphological abnormalities in our population. Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study of the cases of aberrant right subclavian artery diagnosed in our Prenatal Diagnosis Unit between January of 2011 and December of 2018. Two hundred and fifty-seven cases of aberrant right subclavian artery were diagnosed and among them, 179 were considered isolated cases and thus were confirmed after birth. The detection of aberrant right subclavian artery did not improve itself neither the diagnosis of trisomy 21 in the second trimester of pregnancy nor other chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, including the not isolated cases. There were two cases of trisomy 21 diagnosed in the second trimester that presented major sonographic disorders and an inadequate examination during the first trimester. When aberrant right subclavian artery was associated with soft markers of aneuploidy in the second trimester, any case was a trisomy 21. Aberrant right subclavian artery seems to be associated with some minor and major heart defects, especially ventriculoseptal defect and aneurismatic ductus, and in some cases, also with clubfeet. When an adequate screening of aneuploidies and a thorough ultrasound have been performed during the first trimester, aberrant right subclavian artery hardly helps to perform other diagnosis in the second trimester.