Concomitant subclavian and coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Proximal subclavian artery occlusive disease in the presence of a patent internal mammary artery used as a conduit for a coronary artery bypass graft procedure may cause reversal of internal mammary artery flow (coronary-subclavian steal) and produce myocardial ischemia.


METHODS
We reviewed outcome to determine whether subclavian artery revascularization can provide effective protection from and treatment for coronary-subclavian steal. Between 1985 and 1997, 20 patients had either concomitant subclavian and coronary artery disease diagnosed before operation (group 1, 5 patients) or symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal occurring after a previous coronary artery bypass graft procedure (group 2, 15 patients). Patients in group 1 received direct subclavian artery bypass and a simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft procedure in which the ipsilateral internal mammary artery was used for at least one of the bypass conduits. Patients in group 2 received either extrathoracic subclavian-carotid bypass (5 patients, 33.3%) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (10 patients, 66.7%) as treatment for symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal.


RESULTS
All patients were symptom-free after intervention. One patient treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting died of progressive renal failure. Follow-up totaled 58.5 patient-years (mean, 3.1 years/patient). In group 1, primary patency was 100% (mean follow-up, 3.7 years). In group 2, one late recurrence was treated by operative revision, yielding a secondary patency rate of 100% (mean follow-up, 2.9 years).


CONCLUSIONS
Subclavian artery revascularization can provide effective protection from and treatment for coronary-subclavian steal with acceptably low operative risk. Midterm follow-up demonstrates good patency.
Takach
T J
TJ
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston 77225-0345, USA.
Reul
G J
GJ
Gregoric
I
I
Krajcer
Z
Z
Duncan
J M
JM
Livesay
J J
JJ
Cooley
D A
DA
D003326:Coronary Circulation; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000601:surgery; D013349:Subclavian Steal Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*