Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of proximal subclavian artery occlusions

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a well-established treatment for patients with subclavian artery stenosis and brachial or cerebral symptoms. Its efficacy for treatment of subclavian occlusions, however, is not yet established. We attempted to recanalize the subclavian artery in 46 patients with proximal subclavian artery occlusion and were successful in 38 (83%). In two patients, residual stenosis, and in five patients, thrombotic material on the arterial wall required subsequent implantation of a self-expandable stent. Two additional patients were left with residual stenoses because stents were not available at that time. There were no cerebral or brachial complications. During a mean follow-up of 33 months, occlusion recurred in one patient after 3 months and stenosis recurred in five.