title: Ischemia and functional status of the left arm and quality of life after left subclavian artery coverage during stent grafting of thoracic aortic diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to report on the incidence of left arm ischemia, left arm function, and quality of life after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) by stent grafting with and without coverage of the left subclavian artery (LSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who underwent TEVAR since 1996 in our institution were included. Basic demographic parameters, underlying disease, details of TEVAR, long-term left arm function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [DASH] questionnaire), and quality of life (12-Item Short Form Health Survey) were analyzed. End points were left arm ischemia, need for LSA revascularization (before or after TEVAR), long-term functional impairment, and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 138 patients underwent TEVAR for degenerative aneurysm (n = 64), traumatic aortic injury (TAI; n = 38), or Stanford type B dissection (n = 36). Seventy-three patients (52.9%) had LSA coverage, which led to partial or complete LSA occlusion in 49 (35.5%). Selectively, nine patients (6.5%) had primary LSA revascularization. After TEVAR, left arm ischemia was observed in only one patient, who consecutively needed a left carotid to subclavian bypass. During a mean follow-up period of 4.1 ± 3.7 years, no additional patient needed secondary LSA revascularization. In comparing patients with occluded vs patent LSA, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) health scores (12-Item Short Form Health Survey) as well as DASH scores were similar. However, subgroup analysis showed better PCS scores for TAI patients with patent LSA, whereas MCS and DASH scores were similar in TAI patients, and scores were indifferent within thoracic aortic aneurysm and Stanford type B dissection subgroups. In comparing different subgroups, TAI patients had significantly better PCS, MCS, and DASH scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TEVAR is associated with a low risk of peri-interventional left arm ischemia. During long-term follow-up, secondary LSA revascularization is uncommon. Coverage of the LSA has no impact on left arm function and quality of life, probably with the exception of physical health scores in patients with TAI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: josef.klocker@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klocker
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koell
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erlmeier
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goebel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaschke
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Gustav
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fraedrich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D015607:Stents; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058017:Vascular Grafting / Q000009:adverse effects; D014654:Vascular Patency