Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of proximal subclavian artery stenosis after left internal mammary to left anterior descending artery bypass surgery

Subclavian Stent Implantation to Alleviate Coronary Steal through a Patent Internal Mammary Artery Graft

Purpose:

Interventional techniques are rapidly supplanting conventional surgical therapies for the treatment of brachiocephalic occlusive disease. Although coronary-subclavian steal has been successfully alleviated with subclavian angioplasty, we report the first use of a Palmaz stent in the left subclavian artery (SCA) of a patient with a compromised left internal mammary artery (IMA) graft.

Methods and Results:

A 65-year-old male patient had undergone triple coronary artery bypass grafting in 1992, but 6 months later, severe narrowing occurred in two of the saphenous vein grafts, and arteriography identified a high-grade stenosis in the SCA supplying the left IMA graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Following balloon dilation of one saphenous vein graft stenosis, the left SCA was stented primarily with a P3008 Palmaz stent. Normal hemodynamics were restored, and the patient has been free of coronary steal symptoms for over 1 year.

Conclusion:

This case illustrates yet another aspect to the usefulness of intravascular stents in restoring and maintaining in flow to bypass grafts.

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is the reversal of blood flow in an internal mammary artery bypass graft that results in coronary ischemia. CSSS is an uncommon but treatable cause of coronary ischemia. In this review, we highlight the historical background and epidemiology of CSSS, common clinical presentations, diagnosis of CSSS and management strategies for relieving ischemia. We also present a case report to illustrate the complexity of CSSS and percutaneous management using current technology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Most commonly, CSSS results from atherosclerotic stenosis of the subclavian artery and occurs in 2.5-4.5% of patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). All patients referred for CABG should have bilateral noninvasive brachial blood pressures checked to screen for the underlying subclavian stenosis. A review of 98 case reports with 128 patients demonstrated a diverse clinical presentation of CSSS, including acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina and acute systolic heart failure. Resolution of CSSS symptoms has been reported with both surgical and percutaneous revascularization. Long-term patency with either revascularization strategy is excellent. Percutaneous revascularization is largely considered the first-line therapy for CSSS and can be safely performed prior to CABG to prevent CSSS.

SUMMARY

CSSS should be suspected in patients presenting with angina, heart failure or myocardial infarction after CABG. Successful amelioration of CSSS symptoms can be safely and effectively performed via percutaneous revascularization.

Endovascular therapy in prevention and management of coronary-subclavian steal

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who have proximal subclavian artery stenosis (SAS) is not well established. SAS may lead to flow reversal through a patent in situ internal mammary artery graft, resulting in myocardial ischemia (coronary-subclavian steal). We review our experience in prevention and management of coronary-subclavian steal.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who received treatment of symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal were reviewed. Patients who underwent subclavian artery revascularization before CABG were also included in our review. Patient demographic data, findings at presentation, imaging and treatment methods, and short-term and intermediate-term results were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over 4 years, 14 patients with combined subclavian and coronary artery disease were identified. Nine patients had angina (n = 8) and/or congestive heart failure (n = 2) after CABG (post-CABG group). Four patients underwent treatment of SAS and one underwent treatment of recurrent stenosis before or during CABG (pre-CABG group). Among this pre-CABG group, one patient had symptoms of left arm claudication; the other four patients had no symptoms. A blood pressure gradient was commonly noted between both arms. An angiogram confirmed the proximal location of SAS in all patients, and established the presence of flow reversal in a patent internal mammary artery graft in the post-CABG group. Operative management consisted of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting of the subclavian lesion in 11 patients, PTA only in 2 patients, and carotid-subclavian bypass grafting in 1 patient. No known perioperative complications or morbidity was encountered in either group. Mean follow-up was 29 months, during which stenosis recurred in two patients, along with associated cardiac symptoms. In both patients repeat angioplasty was successful, for an assisted primary patency rate of 100%.

CONCLUSION

PTA and stenting to treat SAS appears to provide effective protection from and treatment of coronary-subclavian steal over the short and intermediate terms. A surveillance program is essential because of the risk for recurrent stenosis. Continued follow-up is necessary to determine long-term efficacy of this treatment compared with more conventional surgical approaches.

Percutaneous angioplasty and stenting of left subclavian artery stenosis in patients with left internal mammary-coronary bypass grafts: clinical experience and long-term follow-up

The authors report their experience with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting of the left subclavian artery (LSA) in patients with recurrent angina and a left internal mammary (LIMA)-coronary bypass graft or in patients who will be undergoing LIMA-coronary artery bypass grafting. From November 1990 to February 2001, 21 patients (11 men and 10 women) with significant left subclavian artery stenosis were treated; 18 patients had a prior LIMA bypass graft, and 3 patients were treated before coronary artery bypass surgery. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 12 patients and clinical follow-up was obtained in all patients. All lesions were atherosclerotic in etiology and located in the proximal left subclavian artery. The mean stenosis was 81% (range 50-100%). All patients initially underwent PTA. Stents were placed in 7 patients for suboptimal PTA results. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Pressure gradient measurements were available in 6 patients. Mean pretreatment gradient was 29 mm Hg (range, 10-50 mm Hg) and fell to 3 mm Hg (0-8 mm Hg) posttreatment. There were 2 minor and 2 major complications. The 30-day mortality rate was 9.5% (2 patients). The remaining 19 patients had clinical or angiographic follow-up of 4-68 months (mean, 27 months). Three patients were found to have recurrent stenoses by angiography 8-43 months after PTA and 3 more had clinical signs of recurrent stenosis. Therefore, the long-term clinical patency rate of LSA PTA and stent was 15 of 19 (79%). One was managed with bypass surgery, 1 with repeat PTA and stent placement, and 1 was managed conservatively. Therefore, the assisted patency was 15 of 19 (79%). Eleven of 19 (58%) of the patients in long-term follow-up had cardiac symptoms, but repeat angiography excluded recurrent LSA stenosis as the cause of their symptoms in 7 cases. Only 4/19 (21%) had cardiac symptoms potentially attributable to LSA restenosis. Four patients expired during follow-up, but 3 had no evidence of subclavian stenosis. PTA and stenting is an effective treatment of proximal left subclavian artery stenosis in patients who develop angina after a LIMA-coronary artery bypass, or in patients before a LIMA-CABG. Cardiac symptoms after LSA PTA and stent are most often due to progressive coronary artery disease rather than to recurrent LSA stenosis.

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stent Placement for Subclavian Steal Syndrome With Concomitant Anterograde Flow in the Left Internal Mammary Artery Graft for Coronary Artery Bypass-Case Report-

A 63-year-old man presented with subclavian steal syndrome associated with left internal mammary artery (IMA) bypass graft to a coronary artery. He was admitted with a history of oppressive sensation in the chest, dizziness, and light headedness on exertion for 2 weeks in March 2002. He had undergone myocardial revascularization consisting of a left IMA-to-left anterior descending coronary artery graft in April 1988. His blood pressure was 140/70 mmHg in the right arm and 80/64 mmHg in the left arm. Aortic arch arteriography revealed complete occlusion of the left subclavian artery proximal to the left IMA takeoff and subclavian steal with anterograde flow of the left IMA. Percutaneous angioplasty and stent placement with protection of the left IMA bypass graft using a balloon catheter was successfully performed without complication by cerebral or myocardial ischemia. Complete recanalization of the occluded left subclavian artery and anterograde flow of the left vertebral artery were achieved. His symptoms disappeared and blood pressure in the left arm recovered. This variant of coronary subclavian steal might require protection of the left IMA during angioplasty and stent placement.

Restenting for subclavian in-stent restenosis with symptomatic recurrent coronary-subclavian steal

PURPOSE

To determine whether restenting for recurrent coronary-subclavian syndrome is technically feasible, provides durable results, and is a reasonable alternative to surgery.

CASE REPORT

A 58-year-old woman with a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) bypass to the left anterior descending artery underwent angioplasty and stent placement for left subclavian stenosis and coronary-subclavian steal. Twenty-three months later, she returned with progressive angina and left arm claudication; heart catheterization demonstrated restenosis of the subclavian artery at the stent site with recurrence of the coronary-subclavian steal. Successful redo angioplasty and stenting resulted in normal antegrade flow through the LIMA graft. The patient has remained asymptomatic for 3 years without evidence of recurrent in-stent stenosis on serial noninvasive studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Restenting is technically feasible and appears to be a durable response to subclavian in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary subclavian steal.

Concomitant subclavian and coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Proximal subclavian artery occlusive disease in the presence of a patent internal mammary artery used as a conduit for a coronary artery bypass graft procedure may cause reversal of internal mammary artery flow (coronary-subclavian steal) and produce myocardial ischemia.

METHODS

We reviewed outcome to determine whether subclavian artery revascularization can provide effective protection from and treatment for coronary-subclavian steal. Between 1985 and 1997, 20 patients had either concomitant subclavian and coronary artery disease diagnosed before operation (group 1, 5 patients) or symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal occurring after a previous coronary artery bypass graft procedure (group 2, 15 patients). Patients in group 1 received direct subclavian artery bypass and a simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft procedure in which the ipsilateral internal mammary artery was used for at least one of the bypass conduits. Patients in group 2 received either extrathoracic subclavian-carotid bypass (5 patients, 33.3%) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (10 patients, 66.7%) as treatment for symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal.

RESULTS

All patients were symptom-free after intervention. One patient treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting died of progressive renal failure. Follow-up totaled 58.5 patient-years (mean, 3.1 years/patient). In group 1, primary patency was 100% (mean follow-up, 3.7 years). In group 2, one late recurrence was treated by operative revision, yielding a secondary patency rate of 100% (mean follow-up, 2.9 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Subclavian artery revascularization can provide effective protection from and treatment for coronary-subclavian steal with acceptably low operative risk. Midterm follow-up demonstrates good patency.

Concomitant occlusive disease of the coronary arteries and great vessels

BACKGROUND

Although an increasing number of elderly and high-risk patients, including those with generalized atherosclerosis, are undergoing coronary revascularization, few reports exist regarding the management of patients who have both occlusive disease of the great vessels and coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Between 1972 and 1996, 31 consecutive patients (mean age, 56.5 years; 74% men) with multivessel coronary artery disease and symptomatic occlusive disease of the great vessels (25 single-vessel, 80.6%; 6 multiple-vessel, 19.4%) had 40 great vessels reconstructed by transthoracic bypass (n = 17, 42.5%), transthoracic endarterectomy (n = 8, 20%), or extrathoracic bypass (n = 15, 37.5%). All patients had simultaneous coronary artery bypass grafting (mean, 2.6 grafts per patient), and 8 patients had 10 distal carotid bifurcation endarterectomies (6 staged, 4 simultaneous).

RESULTS

The early primary patency rate was 100%, and symptoms resolved completely in all 31 patients. There was 1 in-hospital death (3.2%) in a patient who had a respiratory arrest 11 days after operation. Perioperative morbidity included two myocardial infarctions (6.5%) and one opposite-hemisphere, embolic stroke (3.2%). Long-term follow-up of the 30 survivors (167.4 patient-years; mean, 5.6 years per patient) documented 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rates of 88.6% and 60.4%, respectively, with a 100% late brachiocephalic primary patency rate. Ten-year actuarial rates of freedom from the following events were as follows: death, 60.4%; myocardial infarction, 82.5%; stroke, 90.9%; percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or redo coronary artery bypass grafting, 95.2%; and vascular operation or amputation, 78.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Depending on the anatomic distribution of the disease, an integrated approach to great vessel reconstruction that incorporated transthoracic and extrathoracic approaches and techniques of endarterectomy and bypass resulted in few adverse outcomes and excellent long-term patency. Simultaneous revascularization of the great vessels and coronary arteries can produce immediate and long-term, symptom-free outcome with acceptably low operative risk.

Concomitant cerebral and coronary subclavian steal

We report the unusual presentation of simultaneous coronary and cerebrovascular insufficiency secondary to subclavian steal in a patient previously treated with coronary artery bypass grafting. Movement of the arm produced reversal of flow ("steal") in both the left vertebral and left internal thoracic arteries and resulted in the onset of angina and neurologic symptoms.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the left subclavian artery to prevent or treat the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome

A hemodynamic significant left subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion proximal to the origin of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) can result in an impaired or reversed flow through the LIMA and the coronary artery to which it has been anastomosed. In this study, we report on our immediate and long-term follow-up results in 31 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left subclavian artery shortly before or after coronary artery bypass grafting with use of the LIMA.

Coronary subclavian steal: a recurrent case with notes on detecting the threat potential

A 43-year-old military patient with silent myocardial ischemia due to proximal anterior descending coronary artery and major diagonal branch stenoses had left and right internal mammary artery grafts in 1973, with excellent angiographic results. In 1984, silent ischemia recurred, due to proximal subclavian occlusion with collateral subclavian steal from the left internal mammary artery. A carotid-subclavian artery graft required replacement in 1987 and in 1989 for steal recurrence from graft stenosis due to thrombosis/atherosclerosis. The final 12-mm graft remained smooth with conventional anticoagulant therapy. However, in 1994, ostial compromise of the left internal mammary artery reduced flow enough to require relief of the original and unchanged anterior descending stenosis by transluminal angioplasty and stent placement. Observations are made on subclavian steal and simple methods for detecting its potential for occurrence.

Subclavian stent implantation to alleviate coronary steal through a patent internal mammary artery graft

PURPOSE

Interventional techniques are rapidly supplanting conventional surgical therapies for the treatment of brachiocephalic occlusive disease. Although coronary-subclavian steal has been successfully alleviated with subclavian angioplasty, we report the first use of a Palmaz stent in the left subclavian artery (SCA) of a patient with a compromised left internal mammary artery (IMA) graft.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 65-year old male patient had undergone triple coronary artery bypass grafting in 1992, but 6 months later, severe narrowing occurred in two of the saphenous vein grafts, and arteriography identified a high-grade stenosis in the SCA supplying the left IMA graft to the left anterior descending coronary artery. Following balloon dilation of one saphenous vein graft stenosis, the left SCA was stented primarily with a P3008 Palmaz stent. Normal hemodynamics were restored, and the patient has been free of coronary steal symptoms for over 1 year.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates yet another aspect to the usefulness of intravascular stents in restoring and maintaining inflow to bypass grafts.

Endoluminal stenting of a subclavian artery stenosis to treat ischemia in the distribution of a patent left internal mammary graft

Subclavian artery stenosis is a rare cause of recurrent myocardial ischemia in patients who have undergone left internal mammary-coronary artery bypass grafting. A patient with this syndrome was successfully treated by placement of Palmaz biliary stents in the left subclavian artery. Angiographic and hemodynamic evidence of restricted subclavian flow resolved following stenting, as did the patient's unstable angina syndrome. Endoluminal stenting of the proximal subclavian artery for the treatment of coronary-subclavian steal can be performed safely and provides an alternative to other forms of surgical or percutaneous (PTCA, directional atherectomy) revascularization for treatment of this disorder.

Management of the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome with balloon angioplasty. A case report and review of the literature

A fifty-two-year-old woman with angina pectoris due to coronary-subclavian steal syndrome through a left internal mammary artery graft placed distal to a left anterior descending artery stenosis is presented. Retrograde flow through the mammary artery graft due to severe left subclavian stenosis was observed angiographically. Accordingly, left subclavian balloon angioplasty was performed, restoring normal antegrade flow through the internal mammary artery graft and resulting in resolution of the patient's symptoms. The patient was subsequently discharged with no evidence of angina. Carotid-subclavian bypass surgery was avoided, reducing patient discomfort, procedural risk, and expense.

Angiographic evaluation of a carotid-subclavian bypass graft in a patient with subclavian artery stenosis and left internal mammary artery bypass graft

The incidence of coronary subclavian steal syndrome is estimated to be 0.4%. When revascularization is necessary, the preferred technique is the carotid-subclavian bypass graft. Failure of a carotid-subclavian graft is rare. We present a patient with subclavian stenosis who required reevaluation of both the carotid subclavian conduit and the left internal mammary bypass graft. A combined femoral and left brachial approach is recommended for evaluating the carotid-subclavian graft and left internal mammary artery graft in patients with bypassed subclavian artery stenosis and prior myocardial revascularization.

Transluminal angioplasty of the subclavian artery in patients with internal mammary grafts

From January 1987 to January 1992, 11 patients underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of subclavian artery stenosis before or after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the internal mammary artery (IMA). There were 8 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 57 +/- 7 years. Four patients had PTA 1 to 4 months before undergoing CABG with IMA grafts, because of either asymptomatic supraclavicular murmurs or neurologic symptoms. Seven patients underwent PTA 2 to 37 months after CABG with IMA grafts, because of recurrent angina. Subclavian artery stenosis was on the left side in 9 patients, the right side in 1 patient, and bilateral in 1 patient. Ten PTA procedures were successful in 9 patients. All patients with post-CABG angina had reversal of the ischemia. There were three complications: one femoral artery thrombosis, one brachial plexus hematoma after an axillary approach, and one acute pulmonary edema after the procedure. Follow-up after PTA ranged from 1 to 60 months (mean, 38 +/- 17 months). Nine patients had no angina at follow-up and 2 had stable angina (class II) upon exertion. Upper-limb Doppler studies showed no evidence of restenosis in any of these patients at a mean follow-up of 38 months. Subclavian artery PTA is a useful alternative to IMA bypass grafting in patients with subclavian artery stenosis discovered preoperatively, and it is the treatment of choice for those presenting with post-CABG angina due to subclavian artery stenosis proximal to an IMA graft.

Atherectomy of the subclavian artery for patients with symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal syndrome

OBJECTIVES

This study addresses the efficacy of directional atherectomy in the subclavian artery for the relief of angina in patients with the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome. In addition, we review the histologic findings from the atherectomy specimens.

BACKGROUND

The coronary-subclavian steal syndrome may occur after internal mammary-coronary artery bypass grafting. It is due to a stenosis in the subclavian artery proximal to the origin of the internal mammary artery and causes frank ischemia to the area supplied by the graft. Currently, surgery is the corrective procedure of choice.

METHODS

In three patients with severe subclavian artery stenoses and unstable angina, directional atherectomy was performed using a peripheral atherectomy catheter through a percutaneous femoral approach. The patients ranged from 43 to 71 years of age and had undergone internal mammary-coronary artery bypass grafting 3 to 10 years previously. Each patient had severe peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular disease.

RESULTS

All three patients had immediate symptomatic relief after the atherectomy, and postprocedure exercise testing demonstrated improved cardiac function. Two patients remain asymptomatic at 7 and 8 months, respectively; the third patient developed unstable angina 9 months later because of severe restenosis that was again successfully treated with atherectomy. Histologic examination of the specimens revealed atherosclerotic plaque, occasionally with adventitia. The specimen from the repeat atherectomy showed severe intimal hyperplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Directional atherectomy appears to be a safe and effective treatment for coronary-subclavian steal syndrome. This procedure may be the treatment of choice for patients in whom a vascular bypass operation is not feasible.

Subclavian angioplasty: immediate and late results in 50 patients

In order to assess the therapeutic outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for subclavian stenosis, 50 patients were followed up clinically as well as with a velocimetric Doppler after attempted angioplasty. A minimal clinical follow-up of 9 months was expected. Subclavian stenoses were due to atheroma in 49 patients and to Takayasu's disease in 1 case. Indication of angioplasty was curative in 34 (68%) symptomatic patients (posterior fossa ischemia and/or upper limb ischemia) and preventive in 16 (32%) asymptomatic patients (severe difference of blood pressure between the 2 arms and/or association with carotid stenosis or axillo-femoral bypass). Angioplasty was successful in 45 patients (primary success rate = 90%). Three (6%) thrombosis occurred due to the percutaneous approach, one of the axillary and one of the brachial artery without any significant sequelae, and one of the aorta requiring an aorto-bifemoral bypass. A complication occurred in 2 unsuccessful angioplasties (4%): an ischemic stroke occurred in 1 case and a thrombosis of the dilated site requiring a surgical bypass. Clinical follow-up over a period of 9-101 months (mean = 41) was performed in 43 out of the 45 patients who had undergone angioplasty successfully. Two patients had a follow-up shorter than 9 months: one died after 5 months, the other was lost to follow-up. By the end of the clinical follow-up, 37 (84%) out of the 44 followed-up patients had benefitted from the procedure. Doppler study performed in 35 out of the 44 followed-up patients (80%) over a period of 2-90 months (mean = 39) showed 5 restenosis (14%). This study demonstrates the good long-term results of angioplasty in case of subclavian artery stenosis. Though there are complications, angioplasty could be proposed as a first choice treatment for subclavian stenosis as compared to surgery. Indications in asymptomatic patients should be carefully weighed as complications may occur.

Symptomatic angina secondary to coronary-subclavian steal syndrome treated successfully by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the subclavian artery

Subclavian artery stenosis causing severely symptomatic angina in a patient with a previous left internal mammary artery bypass to the left anterior descending artery was treated successfully with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Baseline arteriography clearly revealed subclavian and coronary steal by evidence of competitive flow of nonopacified blood from the left vertebral artery. Although there was a difference of only 15 mm Hg between the right and left brachial arteries, there was a palpable difference in the upstroke of these pulses. The stenosis in the subclavian artery was successfully dilated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Angiographic evidence of subclavian steal resolved following balloon dilatation, and the patient's angina was completely resolved.