Long-term results of 81 prevertebral subclavian artery angioplasties: a 26-year experience.
BACKGROUND
Long-term results of transluminal angioplasty (TLA) of the prevertebral subclavian artery (PVSA) are not well known. The aim of this work was to present a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 81 TLAs of the PVSA, with a mean follow-up of approximately 7 years (82 months).


METHODS
From January 1984 to May 2007, 81 TLAs of PVSA were consecutively performed in 72 patients (64% men; median age = 56.7 years) to treat 71 tight stenoses and 10 occlusions. In 58 cases, TLA was carried out under local anesthesia (71.6%), 65 times by femoral approach, and 16 times by humeral approach. A percutaneous approach was used 72 times (89%). A stent was placed in 18 cases (22.2%).


RESULTS
Immediate technical success rate was 93%. One transient monoplegia was noticed after TLA and four puncture complications were observed, which occurred significantly more frequently with percutaneous humeral approach (p = 0.024). A recurrent stenosis occurred 28 times (34.6%) and was symptomatic in three cases. With a mean 82-month follow-up (3-299 months), primary patency at 10 years was 85.2% and primary assisted patency was 92.6%. No restenosis occurred after the 25th month of the follow-up. No restenosis factor was statistically predictive.


CONCLUSIONS
TLA of the PVSA is a mildly invasive and efficient treatment. Early restenoses are frequent but remain accessible to a new TLA with stable long-term results.
Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, Caen, France. berger-l@chu-caen.fr
Ludovic
L
Berger
Zacharie
Z
Bouziane
Aurélien
A
Felisaz
Olivier
O
Coffin
Audrey
A
Dugue
Dominique
D
Maiza
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D013349:Subclavian Steal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency