Role of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in the Nonsurgical Revascularization in Brachiocephalic Vessels

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Abstract

Background

The role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the revascularization of supra-aortic vessels is not well established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of obstructions in brachiocephalic vessels.

Methods

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 15 patients with symptomatic disease of brachiocephalic vessels (5 with occupation alarm claudication, 2 with vertebrobasilar insufficiency,7with transient ischemic attacks, and 1 with progressive angina). In all cases, the elapsed time between symptoms onset and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was longer than one month.Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performedin7subclavian, oneinnominateand7internal carotidarteries (first extracranial segment).ResultsPrimary technical and clinical success wasobtained inall cases. During the clinical follow-up(39 ±7months)one patient had symptomatic reestenosis of the subclavian artery successfully treated with a second percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. All other subject presented no symptoms in the long term follow-up.ConclusionsThis early experience showed that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can be performed successfully and safely in selected cases of patients with symptomatic severe stenosis of brachiocephalic vessels.