Clinical Effectiveness of Endovascular Therapy for Total Occlusion of the Subclavian Arteries: A Study of 67 Patients

Long-term outcomes of endovascular therapy for right subclavian artery occlusive lesions: A multi-center experience

OBJECTIVE

To review our multi-institutional experience with endovascular therapy for right subclavian artery occlusive disease and to evaluate the long-term outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated all patients with right subclavian artery stenosis and occlusive disease who underwent endovascular therapy between March 2014 and September 2022 at two institutions. Patient baseline demographics, lesion characteristics, treatment strategies, and in-hospital and follow-up outcomes were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Between March 2014 and September 2022, 73 patients underwent endovascular treatment at the two institutions. The dominant cause of lesions in this cohort was atherosclerosis. Three different types of lesions were summarized, and the corresponding endovascular strategies were performed. 66 patients (90.4%) underwent successful endovascular treatment, and 62 patients (84.9%) underwent balloon-expandable stent deployment. The mean perioperative in-hospital stay was 4.0 days (range, 3-6 days). Two patients died due to myocardial infarction, and one died of cerebral hemorrhage resulting from a traffic accident within 30 days of the intervention. The median follow-up time was 31.6 months (range, 12-96 months). No complications, including death, stroke, stent fractures, or migration, were noted in any patient during the follow-up period. The overall complication rate was 7/73 (9.6%), and 5/7 (6.9%) of the complications required reintervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment of right subclavian artery lesions is safe, effective, and technically achievable. The reasonable use of balloon-expandable stents can achieve satisfactory outcomes with accurate orientation and promising patency.

Balloon-hooking technique for stabilizing a guiding catheter in tortuous supra-aortic vessel: A case report

Objective: When performing endovascular interventions for supra-aortic vessels, the tortuous vascular anatomy observed in patients with atherosclerotic lesions often limits the ability to maintain a stable guiding catheter position. Here, we report a case of right vertebral artery (VA) stenosis treated with transfemoral stenting and discuss the utility of balloon-hooking technique using partially inflated balloon for stabilizing the balloon guiding catheter (BCG) in the supra-aortic vessel. Case presentation: A 74-year-old man who underwent right carotid artery stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting, and bilateral iliac artery stenting was admitted to our emergency department because of dizziness related to head movement. Computed tomography angiography revealed right VA origin stenosis and left subclavian artery (SA) occlusion. The patient underwent stenting of the right VA. After several unsuccessful cannulation attempts into the right VA through transradial access, transfemoral access was obtained through the left iliac stent. A 9-Fr BGC was navigated into the right SA. The balloon was partially inflated just distal to the first curve of the right SA and used as hook by pulling back until the proximal edge of the balloon was pushed distally by the lesser curvature of the SA, resulting in stabilization of the BGC and successful angioplasty and stent deployment at the VA stenosis. The patient's symptoms resolved completely, without any neurological deficits. Conclusions: Balloon-hooking technique using a partially inflated BGC is feasible for stabilizing the guiding catheter in tortuous supra-aortic vessel.

Combined Transradial and Transfemoral Approach With Ostial Vertebral Balloon Protection for the Treatment of Patients With Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Background: Patients with an obstructive subclavian artery (SA) may exhibit symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency known as subclavian steal syndrome (SSS). Endovascular treatment with stent assisted percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (SAPTA) demonstrates significantly lower percentage of intraoperative and postoperative complications in comparison with open surgery. There is a 1–5% risk of distal intracranial embolization through the ipsilateral vertebral artery (VA) during SAPTA.

Objective: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique for distal embolic protection using balloon catheters during SA revascularization with a dual transfemoral and transradial access.

Methods: We describe a case series of patients with SSS who underwent SAPTA due to severe stenosis or occlusion of the SA using a combined anterograde/retrograde approach. Transfemoral access to SA was obtained using large bore guide sheaths. Ipsilateral transradial access was obtained using intermediate bore catheters. A Scepter XC balloon catheter was introduced through the transradial intermediate catheter into the ipsilateral VA at the ostium during SAPTA for distal embolic protection.

Results: A total of eight patients with SSS underwent subclavian SAPTA. Four patients had the combined anterograde/retrograde approach. Successful revascularization was achieved in three of them. It was difficult to create a channel in the fourth unsuccessful case due to heavily calcified plaque burden. No peri-operative ischemic events were identified. On follow-up, we demonstrated patency of the stents with resolution of symptoms and without any adverse events.

Conclusion: Subclavian stenting using a combined transradial and transfemoral access with compliant balloon catheters at the vertebral ostium for prevention of distal emboli may represent an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of SA stenosis and occlusions.

Carotid-vertebral artery bypass with saphenous vein graft for symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency

OBJECTIVESymptomatic steno-occlusion of the proximal vertebral artery (VA) or subclavian artery (ScA) heralds a poor prognosis and high risk of stroke recurrence despite medical therapy, including antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. In some cases, the V2 segment of the cervical VA is patent and perfused via collateral vessels. The authors describe 7 patients who were successfully treated by external carotid artery (ECA)-saphenous vein (SV)-VA bypass.METHODSSeven cases involving symptomatic patients were retrospectively studied: 3 cases of V1 segment occlusion, 2 cases of severe in-stent restenosis in the V1 segment, and 2 cases of occlusion of the proximal ScA. All patients underwent ECA-SV-VA bypass. The ECA was isolated and retracted, and the anterior wall of the transverse foramen was unroofed. The VA was exposed, and then the 2 ends of the SV were anastomosed to the VA and ECA in an end-to-side fashion.RESULTSSurgical procedures were all performed as planned, with no intraoperative complications. There were 2 postoperative complications (severe laryngeal edema in one case and shoulder weakness in another), but both patients recovered fully and measures were taken to minimize laryngeal edema and its effects in subsequent cases. All patients experienced improvement of their symptoms. No new neurological deficits were reported. Postoperative angiography demonstrated that the anastomoses were all patent, and analysis of follow-up data (range of follow-up 12-78 months) revealed no further ischemic events in the vertebrobasilar territory.CONCLUSIONSThe ECA-SV-VA bypass is a useful treatment for patients who suffer medically refractory ischemic events in the vertebrobasilar territory when the proximal part of the VA or ScA is severely stenosed or occluded but the V2 segment of the cervical VA is patent.

Surgical versus endovascular revascularization of subclavian artery arteriosclerotic disease

BACKGROUND

Endovascular treatment offers an alternative, less invasive approach to open repair for subclavian artery atherosclerotic disease (SAAD). However, only few studies compared the outcomes of both strategies in the long run. This study reports on the performance of endovascular and surgical revascularization for SAAD.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on patients treated for SAAD at two institutions between January 1998 and December 2015. Primary outcome of this study was the composite endpoint of reintervention-free survival (RFS) defined as time to reintervention and/or death from any cause. Secondary endpoints included primary patency (PPR) and secondary patency (SPR) rates as well as overall survival and time to reintervention.

RESULTS

Surgical treatment was the preferred treatment option in 27 (25%) patients, while 83 (75%) patients underwent primary stent therapy. The median follow-up was 87 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 38 to 151) in the surgical group and 27 (IQR: 12 to 59) in the endovascular (P=0.0001). Severe arterial wall calcification was more commonly observed in the surgical arm (P<0.0001), while mild and moderate calcification in the endovascular (P=0.0004 and P=0.014). Vessel occlusion was more frequent among patients treated surgically (100% vs. 34%, P<0.0001). At 98 months RFS was significantly higher after surgical treatment (95% vs. 54%, HR: 8.4, 95% CI: 3.9 to 18.1, P=0.0002). Although overall survival did not differ significantly between the two groups (HR: 4.28, 95% CI: 0.86 to 21.22, P=0.093), open repair was associated with reduced reintervention rate (HR: 12.04, 95% CI: 4.98 to 29.12, P=0.001). The PPR at 98 months following surgical and endovascular therapy amounted to 96% and 65% (HR: 12.87, 95% CI: 5.44 to 30.44, P=0.0008) respectively. No significant difference was observed regarding the SPR between the two groups (100% vs. 95%, P=0.090).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment was associated in this cohort with increased patency and a significant reduction of reinterventions compared to the endovascular approach.