Resumo

RIOSECO S, Patricio; AHUMADA O, Alejandro  e  VASQUEZ G, Daniela. Vascular rings in differential diagnosis of asthma. Rev. chil. enferm. respir. [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.1, pp. 51-57. ISSN 0717-7348.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-73482012000100007.

Aortic arch abnormalities and vascular rings are a rare cause of compression of trachea and esophagus causing respiratory and digestive symptoms in adults. We report a 64 years old woman with exercise induced asthma not resolving with adequate treatment. Flow/volume loop shape suggested an intrathoracic major airway obstruction. Chest X ray showed a right sided aortic notch and CT scan revealed a vascular ring composed by a right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and Kommerell's diverticulum compressing trachea and esophagus. Bronchoscopy confirmed posterior wall compression of trachea exacerbated by tachycardia as a cause of symptoms. We think that is important to consider vascular rings as a differential diagnostic entity in difficult to treat asthma.

Palavras-chave : Vascular rings; asthma; dynamic compression.