A Case of Subclavian Artery Injury Due to Blunt Trauma Treated Successfully by Endovascular Repair

Abstract

Subclavian artery injury is rare, but can cause both limb-and life-threatening conditions by rupture into the thoracic cavity. We report the case of a 59-year-old man with subclavian artery injury due to blunt trauma that was successfully treated by endovascular repair. Computed tomography showed a small aneurysm in the left subclavian artery close to the fractured left clavicle. We initially attempted conservative treatment because the aneurysm was small and signs of ischemia were absent. However, the aneurysm continued to increase in size and showed a risk of rupture into the thoracic cavity, which would have been life-threatening. A covered stent was placed 2 weeks after injury following a rapid increase in size of the aneurysm with relapsed pain. The aneurysm disappeared following stent placement and patency of the subclavian artery was preserved. Endovascular repair should be consid-ered in the early phase after subclavian artery injury, even if the lesion is small.