PERCUTANEOUS INTERVENTION FOR RADIATION-DAMAGE TO AXILLARY ARTERIES

Radiation injury to subclavian and axillary arteries is a rare and lat e complication of radiotherapy. Until recently it has been treated alm ost exclusively by carotid-brachial bypass surgery. We report three ca ses who presented with severe upper limb ischaemia following previous axillary radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. One patient with an axilla ry artery occlusion failed angioplasty and required bypass surgery. A further patient with an axillary artery occlusion was successfully man aged by the percutaneous placement of an arterial stent. The third pat ient with an isolated axillary artery stenosis responded to balloon an gioplasty. All three patients remained asymptomatic. Percutaneous angi oplasty and stent placement, where necessary, are appropriate first ch oice treatment for delayed radiation stenosis and occlusion in upper l imb ischaemia.