The clinical application of endovascular treatment for subclavian steal syndrome / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment for subclavian steal syndrome (SSS). Methods During the period from April 2004 to Feb. 2013 at authors’ hospital, a total of 12 patients with SSS, including subclavian artery stenosis (n = 7) and occlusion (n = 5), underwent endovascular treatment. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was carried out in 4 cases and stent implantation in 8 cases. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Technical success rate was 100%(12/12). The diseased side/healthy side blood pressure ratio increased from preoperative (0.46 ± 0.28) to postoperative (0.89 ± 0.32), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the clinical symptoms were improved in different degrees in all patients. During the follow - up period lasting for (16.7 ± 7.9) months, restenosis occurred in one case with left SSS thirteen months after PTA, and the condition was improved after stenting angioplasty. Another patient with severe subclavian artery stenosis developed peripheral micro- vascular thrombosis of the diseased limb in 23 days after PTA, which was relieved after medication to improve microcirculation and vasodilation. No severe complications such as stroke occurred. Conclusion For subclavian artery steal syndrome, endovascular management is a minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment. It can significantly relieve the clinical symptoms due to vertebral- basilar artery insufficiency caused by subclavian steal syndrome, and improve limb weakness, low body temperature, etc. Therefore, this technique should be recommended in clinical practice.