Angioplasty and stenting versus carotid-subclavian bypass for the treatment of isolated subclavian artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the results of a large series of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)/stenting procedures in the subclavian artery with the results of a series of carotid-subclavian bypass grafts (CSBG) performed at the same institution for subclavian artery disease.


METHODS
Between 1993 and 2006, 121 patients (43 men; mean age 63 years, range 38-85) underwent subclavian artery PTA/stenting and were compared to a group of 51 patients (29 men; mean age 62 years, range 46-75) with isolated subclavian artery occlusive disease treated with CSBG using polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Graft or PTA/stenting patency was determined clinically and confirmed by Doppler pressures and/or duplex ultrasound/angiography. The cumulative patency and overall survival rates were calculated using the life-table method.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up for the PTA/stent group was 3.4 years versus 7.7 years for the CSBG group. The technical success rate for the CSBG group was 100% versus 98% (119/121) for the PTA/stent group. The overall perioperative complication rate in the stent group was 15.1% (18/119: 11 minor and 7 major complications) versus 5.9% (3/51: 2 phrenic nerve palsy and 1 myocardial infarction) in the bypass group (p=0.093). There was no perioperative stroke or mortality in the CSBG group. The major perioperative complications in the stent group included 4 thromboembolic events, 1 congestive heart failure, 1 reperfusion arm edema, and 1 pseudoaneurysm. There was 1 perioperative death in the stent group. The 30-day patency rate was 100% for the bypass group and 97% (118/121) for the PTA/stent group. The primary patency rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 98%, and 96% for the CSBG group versus 93%, 78%, and 70% for the stent group, respectively (p<0.0001). Freedom from symptom recurrence was also statistically superior in the bypass group versus the stent group (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in the survival rates between both groups at any time point (p=0.322).


CONCLUSIONS
Both CSBGs using PTFE grafts and subclavian PTA/stenting are safe, effective, and durable; however, CSBG is more durable in the long term. PTA/stenting of the subclavian artery should be the procedure of choice for high-risk patients; however, CSBG should be offered to good-risk surgical candidates who may be seeking a more durable procedure.
AbuRahma
Ali F
AF
Department of Surgery, Vascular Laboratory, and Vascular Center of Excellence, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Charleston, West Virginia 25304, USA. ali.aburahma@camc.org
Bates
Mark C
MC
Stone
Patrick A
PA
Dyer
Benjamin
B
Armistead
Lauren
L
Scott Dean
L
L
Scott Lavigne
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013349:Subclavian Steal Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014654:Vascular Patency
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene