title: A comparative study of the long-term results of open operations and endovascular interventions for atherosclerotic stenoses of the brachiocephalic trunk.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to carry out a retrospective comparison of the long-term results of open and endovascular interventions for atherosclerotic stenoses of the brachiocephalic trunk (BCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients with BCT stenoses underwent 18 consecutive intrathoracic reconstructions and 27 balloon angioplasties. The long-term results of open interventions were followed up for a mean of 70+/-17 months (up to 169 months maximally). The long-term results of balloon angioplasties were followed up for a mean of 68+/-8 months (up to 117 months maximally). In a subgroup of patients who underwent intrathoracic operations, we studied the destiny of 12 (71%) of the 17 patients whereas in a subgroup provided dilatations, we examined the destiny of 18 (75%) of the 24 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Graft patency was preserved in 92% of patients, that of the dilated arteries in 94%. The clinical effect of surgery in the subgroups provided open reconstructions and endovascular interventions persisted in 83% and 89% of patients respectively, the incidence of strokes in the long-term period was 8% and 6%, the lethality reached 25% and 17%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular intervention is the method of choice in the treatment for atherosclerotic lesions of the BCT without injury to its bifurcation.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Pokrovskiĭ
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Beloiartsev
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000601:surgery*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies