[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the subclavian arteries]

We studied the complications and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of subclavian artery stenosis in 11 patients. In all patients but one, the systolic blood pressure before PTA in the arm on the involved side was at least 30 mmHg lower than that in the opposite arm. PTA of 11 left subclavian arteries and one right subclavian artery was attempted. Five of the patients suffered from symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency as well as ischemia of the upper limb, two had only cerebral symptoms, two had only ischemia of the upper limb, and another had no symptoms related subclavian arterial lesion. Standard techniques for PTA were employed, using the femoral route eight times and the axillary route four times. Angioplasty was successful in 11 lesions (92%). In the successfully treated patients, the blood pressure in the ipsilateral arm was significantly increased after PTA. No complications occurred during or after the procedure. The patients were followed for 2-74 months (mean 25.7 months). During this time, no recurrence of the stenosis was observed, although the symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency did not always improve. These results suggest that PTA is useful for treating subclavian artery stenosis.