Management of traumatic subclavian artery injuries in a high-volume vascular surgery center in Iran

Impact of Endovascular Stenting on Outcomes in Patients with Traumatic Subclavian Artery Injury

BACKGROUND

Traumatic subclavian artery injury (SAI) remains uncommon but can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Although open and endovascular repair offer excellent limb salvage rates, their role in blunt and penetrating injuries is not well defined. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of mechanism of injury and type of repair on outcomes in patients with traumatic SAI.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients undergoing procedures for traumatic SAI were identified from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program database between 2015 and 2018. Demographics, severity of injury and shock, type of subclavian repair (open vs endovascular), morbidity, and mortality were recorded. Patients with SAI were stratified by mechanism and type of repair and compared. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

Seven hundred thirty-seven patients undergoing procedures for SAI were identified. Of these, 39% were penetrating. The majority were male (80%) with a median age and Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 37 and 21, respectively. 58% of patients were managed endovascularly. For patients with blunt injury, the type of repair affected neither morbidity (25% vs 19%, p = 0.116) nor mortality (11% vs 10%, p = 0.70). For patients with penetrating injuries, endovascular repair had significantly lower morbidity (12% vs 22%, p = 0.028) and mortality (6% vs 21%, p = 0.001). MLR identified endovascular repair as the only modifiable risk factor associated with reduced mortality (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.87, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

SAI results in significant morbidity and mortality regardless of mechanism. Although the type of repair did not affect mortality in patients with blunt injury, endovascular repair was identified as the only modifiable predictor of reduced mortality in patients with penetrating injuries.

Treatment Outcome of Traumatic Subclavian Artery Injuries

BACKGROUND

Traumatic subclavian artery injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thoracic cage and clavicle provide a well protection of the underlying subclavian vessels and nerves and also cause a very limited operation space during open surgery. The endovascular modality is less invasive and alternative to conventional open surgical reconstruction.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the different therapeutic effects on limb salvage.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who presented with blunt or penetrating injuries to the subclavian arteries between March 2012 and March 2021.

RESULTS

Endovascular and open repairs were both effective for traumatic subclavian artery injury. There was no statistical difference in the limb salvage, mortality, procedure-related complication, reintervention rate and in-hospital medical complications. Intraoperative blood loss, red blood cell transfusion requirement and length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the endovascular intervention group.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment represents an attractive alternative to the traditional surgical approach for the treatment of traumatic injuries in the subclavian.

Scapulothoracic dissociation and blunt vertebral vascular injury: case report

Case Description:

A 24-year-old male suffers from a motor vehicle accident with penetrating neck trauma and concomitant closed left cervicothoracic trauma.

Clinical Findings:

High impact trauma causing hypovolemic shock, left zone I penetrating neck trauma, ischemia due to blunt trauma to the axillary vessels, and brachial plexus injury. Transection of the vertebral artery on angiotomography. Diagnosed with scapulothoracic dissociation and vertebral artery trauma.

Treatment and outcome:

Axillary arteriovenous reconstruction, fasciotomies, non-surgical approach of the vertebral artery trauma, and deferred treatment of the brachial plexus trauma were performed. Survival of the patient and his limb, with major neurologic sequelae

Clinical Relevance:

The case presented here is an example of scapulothoracic dissociation with associated trauma to the vertebral artery, injuries that are uncommon and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of the injuries and a multidisciplinary approach for this complex case by surgical board reviews at various levels within the course of care were key determinants in the patient’s improved prognosis. This case report presents an analysis of the diagnostics, treatment, and course; considering in-hospital care and the decision-making process as determinants for the prognosis in a polytrauma patient.

Scapulothoracic dissociation and blunt vertebral vascular injury: case report

Case Description: A 24-year-old male suffers from a motor vehicle accident with penetrating neck trauma and concomitant closed left cervicothoracic trauma. Clinical Findings: High impact trauma causing hypovolemic shock, left zone I penetrating neck trauma, ischemia due to blunt trauma to the axillary vessels, and brachial plexus injury. Transection of the vertebral artery on angiotomography. Diagnosed with scapulothoracic dissociation and vertebral artery trauma. Treatment and outcome: Axillary arteriovenous reconstruction, fasciotomies, non-surgical approach of the vertebral artery trauma, and deferred treatment of the brachial plexus trauma were performed. Survival of the patient and his limb, with major neurologic sequelae Clinical Relevance: The case presented here is an example of scapulothoracic dissociation with associated trauma to the vertebral artery, injuries that are uncommon and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early recognition of the injuries and a multidisciplinary approach for this complex case by surgical board reviews at various levels within the course of care were key determinants in the patient’s improved prognosis. This case report presents an analysis of the diagnostics, treatment, and course; considering in-hospital care and the decision-making process as determinants for the prognosis in a polytrauma patient.