Aneurysm of the left subclavian artery

Abstract

Introduction: the aneurysm of the subclavian artery is an infrequent ailment; it represents a minimum percentage of the arterial aneurysms cases. Its clinical manifestations are scarce, it is usually diagnosed incidentally after finding on a chest radiograph a rounded lesion projected on or in relation to the pulmonary apices or in the superior mediastinum.

Objective: to present a case of aneurysm of the left subclavian artery, which, because it is infrequent, requires a correct application of the clinical method. What is of interest to specialists in primary health care.

Case presentation: male patient, white, 51 years old, smoker, with a history of hypertension for which he takes regular treatment and remains compensated. He attended the consultation due to severe pain in the chest, several days of evolution. The physical examination revealed an increase in volume in the left supraclavicular fossa, painful on palpation, with blow, beat, and loss of the left radial pulse when the limb was elevated. Complementary and imaging tests were carried out. Aneurysm was diagnosed by compression of the left subclavian artery.

Conclusions: the correct application of the clinical method in the primary care level and the adequate interrelation with the secondary and tertiary levels, made possible the diagnosis and timely treatment of the patient and influenced his favorable evolution