Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for atherosclerotic stenosis of the subclavian or innominate artery: angiographic and clinical outcomes in 36 patients

The purpose of the study was to evaluate stenting and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of stenotic lesions of the subclavian or innominate artery based on surgical results and long-term follow-up with 36 patients. In particular, we evaluated the efficacy of self-expanding stents compared to balloon-expandable stents. Between February 2000 and March 2008 at the Kyoto Medical Center, 36 patients underwent both stenting and PTA of the subclavian or innominate artery. Twenty-four patients had severe subclavian stenotic disease, ten patients had total occlusion of the subclavian artery, and two patients had stenoses of the innominate artery. Successful dilatation (less than 30% residual stenosis) was obtained in 34 of the 36 cases. In two cases (20%) of total subclavian occlusion, the guidewires were not able to penetrate the lesions, although the success rate was 100% for stenoses. All patients had no signs of neurological side effects with the exception of two pseudoaneurysms of the femoral arteries that required surgical intervention. In the first 30 days after treatment, there were no strokes or deaths. Outpatient follow-up was done with 30 patients (83.3%) after a mean of 30.9 months (range 3–114). Among these 30 patients, four patients (13.3%) developed restenoses of over 50%. Restenoses occurred in 4 of 20 individuals (20%) who received balloon-expandable stents but were not observed in those who received self-expanding stents. Endovascular therapy for the subclavian and innominate arteries is less invasive and safer than open surgery, making it the preferable option. In this clinical period, the rate of restenosis using self-expanding stents was lower than the rate using balloon-expandable stents.