Simultaneous subclavian artery reconstruction in coronary artery bypass grafting.
BACKGROUND
Subclavian artery occlusive lesion, although rare, is sufficiently important to consider before coronary artery bypass grafting because it can cause not only symptoms of the lesion per se, but also the postoperative coronary-subclavian steal phenomenon.


METHODS
Four patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting received simultaneous reconstruction of the subclavian artery. During aortic cross-clamping, an 8-mm ring-reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene graft was attached to the aorta perpendicularly. The prosthetic graft was led to the proximal segment of the axillary artery through the second intercostal space and anastomosed to the inferior surface of the artery.


RESULTS
Three patients received unilateral reconstruction of the subclavian artery, whereas another received bilateral reconstruction. There were no complications related to the subclavian reconstruction procedure. Post-operative angiograms revealed excellent patency of the prosthetic grafts. All of the patients have been asymptomatic with follow-up periods ranging from 9 to 50 months.


CONCLUSIONS
To perform simultaneous subclavian artery reconstruction along with coronary artery bypass grafting, the aortoaxillary bypass procedure using an 8-mm polytetrafluoroethylene graft may be the method of choice because it has lower potential for complications and is less technically demanding.
Ochi
M
M
Department of Surgery II, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Yamauchi
S
S
Yajima
T
T
Bessho
R
R
Tanaka
S
S
D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000601:surgery*
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene