Elective and Emergent Endovascular Treatment of Subclavian Artery Aneurysms and Injuries

Abstract

Purpose:

To demonstrate our short and long-term results after transbrachial treatment of subclavian artery aneurysms and injuries with stent-grafts in elective and emergency settings.

Methods:

Ten of 12 consecutive patients (6 men; mean age 63.8 years, range 38–80) were treated electively with commercially prepared endografts delivered via a transbrachial access to repair a subclavian artery aneurysm (n = 3) or an injury from a misplaced central venous catheter (n = 7). Two patients required emergency treatment for a ruptured atherosclerotic aneurysm in one and an unintentional arterial puncture during placement of a central venous access in the other. Stent-graft patency during follow-up was assessed by physical examination with comparison of brachial blood pressures in all patients; computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed in available patients.

Results:

Successful deployment of stent-grafts with sealing of the lesion was achieved in all cases. There were 2 (17%) procedural complications. One patient developed an access-site hematoma that required surgical revision. The second patient, who had a right subclavian injury, suffered an embolic cerebral infarction. The primary stent-graft patency during follow-up (mean 11.6 months) was 100%. CTA examinations in 7 patients at a mean 18 months showed strut dislocation at the thoracic outlet without luminal narrowing in 1 patient. A 50% intraluminal narrowing due to compression between the clavicle and the first rib occurred in another patient. Six patients with a mean follow-up of 23 months (range 0.3–4.5 years) are still alive with patent stent-grafts.

Conclusions:

Endovascular stent-graft treatment of subclavian artery aneurysms and injuries is a less invasive alternative to surgical repair. Long-term results must still be confirmed in further studies.