Axilloaxillary bypass for subclavian and innominate artery revascularization

From 1975 to 1977, ten patients have undergone axilloaxillary bypass grafting from the Vascular Surgery Services at Charity Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. Eight of the patients had lesions in the subclavian artery, and two patients had innominate artery lesions. All patients were relieved of both central nervous system and upper extremity symptoms. Early graft patency has been good. There have been no operative complications. Two patients developed late graft thrombosis. This was easily remedied by simple graft thrombectomy. Axilloaxillary artery bypass is an effective procedure for revascularization of the subclavian and innominate arteries. The authors feel that it is the procedure of choice for most innominate artery lesions, and is also useful in subclavian artery revascularization in selected elderly high-risk patients, where it may be performed under local anesthesia.