[Stent PTA in secondary symptomatic proximal subclavian artery obstruction]

Stent-PTA of secondary symptomatic proximal subclavian artery stenosis In comparison with conventional surgical revascularisation, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is an alternative treatment for short stenoses or occlusions involving the origin of the subclavian artery. If there is clinical suspicion of subclavian artery obstruction (e.g. blood pressure difference in both arms), digital subtraction angiography of the aortic arch and upper limb should be performed prior to creating radial haemodialysis shunts or coronary bypass crafting involving the internal mammary artery. PTA and stenting can be successfully carried out in symptomatic secondary proximal subclavian artery stenosis, e.g. in radial haemodialysis fistulas with distal ischaemia.