Percutaneous intervention for radiation damage to axillary arteries

Radiation injury to subclavian and axillary arteries is a rare and late complication of radiotherapy. Until recently it has been treated almost exclusively by carotid-brachial bypass surgery. We report three cases who presented with severe upper limb ischaemia following previous axillary radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. One patient with an axillary artery occlusion failed angioplasty and required bypass surgery. A further patient with an axillary artery occlusion was successfully managed by the percutaneous placement of an arterial stent. The third patient with an isolated axillary artery stenosis responded to balloon angioplasty. All three patients remained asymptomatic. Percutaneous angioplasty and stent placement, where necessary, are appropriate first choice treatment for delayed radiation stenosis and occlusion in upper limb ischaemia.