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 b ypass graft procedure may cause reversal of internal mammary artery now (co ronary-subclavian steal) and produce myocardial ischemia. Methods. We reviewed outcome to determine whether subclavian artery revascu larization can provide effective protection from and treatment for coronary -subclavian steal. Between 1985 and 1997, 20 patients had either concomitan t subclavian and coronary artery disease diagnosed before operation (group 1, 5 patients) or symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal occurring after a p revious coronary artery bypass graft procedure (group 2, 15 patients). Pati ents in group 1 received direct subclavian artery bypass and a simultaneous coronary artery bypass graft procedure in which the ipsilateral internal m ammary artery was used for at least one of the bypass conduits. Patients in group 2 received either extrathoracic subclavian-carotid bypass (5 patient s, 33.3%) or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (10 patient s, 66.7%) as treatment for symptomatic coronary-subclavian steal. Results. All patients were symptom-free after intervention. One patient tre ated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting died of progre ssive 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, yieldin g a secondary patency rate of 100% (mean follow-up, 2.9 years). Conclusions. Subclavian artery revascularization can provide effective prot ection from and treatment for coronary-subclavian steal with acceptably low operative risk. Midterm follow-up demonstrates good patency. (Ann Thorac S urg 2001;71:187-9) (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.