Claudication pain in the left arm of a coronary artery bypass graft patient using crutches: Coronary subclavian steal syndrome - a case report

A 77-year-old male former smoker with hypercholesterolemia and diabetes, who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery three years before admission and right carotid endarterectomy four years before admission, presented with recent-onset exertional chest pain. His medical history revealed that the chest pain was preceded by gradually worsening exertional claudication pain in his left arm when he was using crutches. The chest pain was similar to the pain he experienced before the coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed. Coronary angiography and bypass graft imaging showed significant stenosis of the left subclavian artery proximal to the origin of the left internal mammary artery bypass, decreased flow in the left internal mammary artery with partial retrograde filling from the left anterior descending artery, and severe narrowing of the left vertebral artery with preserved centrifugal flow. Percutaneous stent implantation into the left subclavian artery was performed together with proximal balloon angioplasty of the left vertebral artery. The patient has been symptom free since the stent implantation.     

A Case Report of an Extra Anatomical Cartico-iliac Bypass

We describe an extra-anatomical bypass from the right common carotid artery to a patent ilio-femoral crossover bypass in a high risk patient with an occluded aorta, bilateral subclavian artery disease, and a critical ischaemic left leg. An occluded right internal carotid artery allowed us to use the right common carotid artery as a donor vessel for carotico-iliac bypass without risking steal syndrome.     

Angiographic evaluation of a carotid-subclavian bypass graft in a patient with subclavian artery stenosis and left internal mammary artery bypass graft

The incidence of coronary subclavian steal syndrome is estimated to be 0.4%. When revascularization is necessary, the preferred technique is the carotid-subclavian bypass graft. Failure of a carotid-subclavian graft is rare. We present a patient with subclavian stenosis who required reevaluation of both the carotid subclavian conduit and the left internal mammary bypass graft. A combined femoral and left brachial approach is recommended for evaluating the carotid-subclavian graft and left internal mammary artery graft in patients with bypassed subclavian artery stenosis and prior myocardial revascularization. © 1994 Wiley-Liss,Inc..     

Subclavian Aneurysm Presenting with Massive Hemoptysis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We present a case of a 70-year-old male with a past medical history of coronary artery bypass grafting and end stage renal disease who presented with massive hemoptysis. He had a history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis, with infection and removal of endocardial pacing leads. His work-up revealed a 2.9-cm proximal left subclavian artery aneurysm. Bronchoscopy confirmed bright red blood in the left upper lobe bronchus and coronary angiography confirmed a patent left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending bypass. Because of the consideration of maintaining coronary perfusion via the LIMA while excluding the subclavian aneurysm, he underwent a left carotid to left axillary artery bypass graft followed by deployment of an Amplatzer II vascular plug just distal to the aneurysm. A thoracic endograft was then deployed to exclude the origin of the subclavian. A review of the literature reveals hemoptysis as a rare presentation of a subclavian aneurysm. We discuss approaches to this challenging clinical problem, ranging from open repair to hybrid approaches.     

“象鼻”支架术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层胸主动脉腔内修复术后Ⅰ型内漏

目的:回顾应用支架"象鼻"术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层胸主动脉腔内修复术(TEVAR)术后Ⅰ型内漏的临床效果。方法:2009年3月至2013年1月,首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院,收治的Stanford B型主动脉夹层TEVAR术后Ⅰ型内漏12例患者进行回顾性分析。12例患者均为男性,平均年龄(50.2±6.2)岁,平均身高(171.92±4.98)cm,平均体质量(77.50±8.43)kg,所有患者均无相关家族遗传病史,均有高血压病史,与第一次TEVAR术间隔时间平均34.4个月。支架"象鼻"术均在全麻体外循环下进行。如漏口暴露清楚,可缝闭漏口;如置入支架裸区妨碍象鼻支架缝合,可剪除部分裸露部分金属支架或将置入支架取出;如漏口累及左锁骨下动脉开口,可将左锁骨下动脉近端缝闭,截断左锁骨下动脉,其远端与左颈总动脉行端侧吻合,建立左颈总动脉至左锁骨下动脉转流或8mm人工血管行升主动脉至左腋动脉或左锁骨下动脉转流。于之前置入的支架内置入26~30mm Microport术中支架血管,覆盖内漏破口。术后随访6~48个月,平均6.53个月。结果:12例支架"象鼻"术均为择期手术,其中7例患者漏口位置累及左锁骨下动脉,4例剪除置入支架金属裸区;1例将置入支架取出;3例术中支架血管近端吻合于左锁骨下动脉以远,8例吻合于左颈总动脉与左锁骨下动脉之间;4例同期行左颈总动脉至左锁骨下动脉转流术;2例行升主动脉-左锁骨下动脉转流术;2例行升主动脉-左腋动脉转流术;1例患者因合并二尖瓣关闭不全同期行二尖瓣置换术;1例合并迷走右锁骨下动脉的患者同期行升主动脉-右腋动脉转流术。12例患者手术时间为平均(5.92±1.14)小时,平均住院时间为(21.92±9.14)天,2例患者术后出现围术期并发症,其中1例胸骨哆开,行再次胸骨固定痊愈;1例术前肾功能不全,术后出现急性肾衰竭,经透析治疗后肾功能恢复。本组患者均顺利出院。所有患者术后内漏均消失,术后随访6~48个月,平均6.53个月,均无复发。在术后随访期间,3例患者支架远端病变需再次处理,1例患者术后7个月出现支架感染、咯血、死亡。结论:应用支架"象鼻"术治疗Stanford B型主动脉夹层TEVAR术后Ⅰ型内漏,有较好的临床疗效,但远期效果仍需进一步观察。     

Complete occlusion of the proximal subclavian artery post-CABG: presentation and treatment

Atherosclerotic disease of the proximal left subclavian artery is an uncommon cause of angina in the post-coronary artery bypass graft patient, and is termed coronary-subclavian steal syndrome. Typical manifestations include cardiac symptoms of angina and noncardiac symptoms of lightheadedness, left arm numbness or weakness, and a difference in blood pressure of more than 20 mmHg between both arms. A case of complete proximal occlusion of the subclavian artery is reported. The clinical picture, investigations and treatment are described. Historical treatments of occlusive disease include surgical bypass graft and, more recently, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The patient underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting by a retrograde approach, with an excellent short-term response, but ultimately required a carotid subclavian bypass due to restenosis.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of proximal subclavian artery stenosis after left internal mammary to left anterior descending artery bypass surgery.

A patient is described who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, through a brachial approach, of a high grade stenosis at the proximal portion of the left subclavian artery 1.5 years after coronary artery bypass grafting including left internal mammary to left anterior descending artery anastomosis. Symptoms of class IV angina, vertebrobasilar insufficiency and occupational arm claudication that developed after bypass surgery were promptly relieved after balloon dilation. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the subclavian artery can be performed safely and provides an alternative to carotid-subclavian or axillary-axillary bypass surgery for treatment of internal mammary artery graft malfunction.     

Bilateral subclavian steal syndrome through different paths and from different sites--a case report

Cases of cerebro-subclavian steal syndrome have been reported in the medical literature since 1960. This most often occurs on the left side because of the higher rate of involvement of the left subclavian artery in comparison to the other brachiocephalic branches of the aortic arch. With the use of the internal mammory artery as a conduit for coronary artery bypass, in the past three decades increasing numbers of coronary-subclavian steal in addition to the cerebro-subclavian steal have been observed. The authors report a case of bilateral subclavian steal syndrome through both vertebral arteries, the right common carotid artery, and the left internal mammory artery, without significant signs and symptoms of cerebral ischemia or anginal pain.     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation through a diseased left common carotid artery: Combined approach with endarterectomy and left carotid‐subclavian bypass

We report a case of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the self‐expanding Medtronic CoreValve bioprosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MI) through a diseased left common carotid (LCC) artery. This 81‐year‐old male patient presented with heart failure due to a severe degenerative aortic valve stenosis. Comorbidities included diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia as well as peripheral and coronary artery disease, resulting in a logistic EuroScore II of 25.9%. Consequently, he was rejected to undergo surgery and a transcatheter approach was planned. Due to severe peripheral vascular disease with iliofemoral lesions, significant calcifications and unfavourable angulations of the innominate artery as well as prior bypass surgery precluding a direct aortic and subclavian approach, none of the established access sites were suitable. Therefore, we considered a left carotid access, which had to be combined with a surgical endarterectomy for treatment of a significant common carotid bifurcation stenosis and left subclavian‐LCC permanent tunnel bypass graft. The procedure was successful without cardiac, cerebrovascular, or access complications. This case illustrates a true heart team approach, establishing a unique access for TAVI for patients without regular access options. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Right‐sided aortic arch and Kommerell diverticulum with aberrant left subclavian artery: Preliminarily diagnosed by echocardiography

Kommerell diverticulum (KD) with aberrant left subclavian artery (ALSA) is a rare congenital variation of vascular structure. We reported a case of 3‐year‐old boy with KD and ALSA, which was preliminarily diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and verified by computed tomography angiography (CTA). The patient was treated successfully with KD resection and anastomosed the left subclavian artery directly to the left carotid artery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Our case illustrates that echocardiography and CTA should be used to comprehensively assess all the internal and external cardiac structures in order to determine the appropriate surgical plan.     

Late occlusion of the subclavian artery proximal to mammary bypass

We report the cases of two patients with an occlusion of the left subclavian artery several years after left internal mammary bypass of the anterior interventricular artery. The effect on the myocardium was only apparent after scintigraphy in one case, and was clinical in the second with angina pain on exertion of the upper limb. Re-implantation of the subclavian artery in the common carotid relieved the signs of myocardial ischaemia. While the internal mammary artery is the conduit of choice for coronary revascularisation because it is not affected by atheromatous lesions, this does apply to the proximal subclavian artery. Stenosis or occlusion here can entail ischaemia in the revascularised myocardial territory. Regular clinical and ultrasound surveillance can detect these lesions.     

Obstructed coarctation in a right aortic arch in an adult female

Coarctation of a right aortic arch is rare congenital anomaly. We report a rare case of a 24-year-old female with coarctation of the right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery between the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries. The coarctation progressed into complete obstruction as the interruption of the aorta in adulthood. To prevent cerebral complications and progression to heart failure, surgical procedure was selected. Extraanatomical bypass grafting between the ascending and descending aorta was successfully performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Some patients diagnosed with interruption of the aortic arch in adulthood might be displaying progression of undiagnosed coarctation, as our in case. Three-dimensional computed tomography was useful to detect the obstructive lesion and to determine the surgical approach and methods.     

A 16-year-old patient with dysphagia

A 16-year-old man with an 8-year history of progressive dysphagia was referred to hospital. There was no specific finding in his family history. Physical examination was unremarkable. Complete blood count, serum electrolytes, and liver and kidney function tests were normal. Barium swallow revealed an extrinsic impression of the upper esophagus posteriorly. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated an aberrant origin of the right subclavian artery, leaving the aorta below the left subclavian artery. The artery had a retroesophageal course, causing the esophageal narrowing. Due to the persistence and worsening of the patient's symptoms, resection and reconstructive bypass surgery were recommended. Surgical correction was performed through a combined right supraclavicular incision and left posterolateral thoracotomy. After application of a vascular clamp, the aberrant right subclavian artery was ligated almost at its origin, and an end-to-side anastomosis was made with the right common carotid artery. At the end of the operative procedure, good pulses were palpated in the right radial artery. Postoperatively, the patient tolerated a regular diet without symptoms of dysphagia and was discharged on postoperative day 7.     

Successful stenting of total left subclavian artery occlusion post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery using dual left vertebral artery and left internal mammary artery protection

We report on a 68-year-old male patient (smoker, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetic for 25 years) who was admitted with acute pulmonary edema 5 months after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending artery, saphenous vein graft to posterior descending artery, and sequential saphenous vein graft to obtuse marginal artery). He had no cardiac enzyme leakage and his left ventricular ejection fraction was > 50% on 2-dimensional echocardiography. He proved to have total calcific left subclavian artery occlusion and retrograde flow in both his left internal mammary artery and his left vertebral artery upon left subclavian angiography performed through the left brachial approach. Angiographic vertebral and coronary-subclavian steals were both supported with clinical manifestations. The patient underwent successful stenting to his left subclavian artery using dual protection to his left vertebral artery with filter protection device and to his left internal mammary artery using simple balloon inflation at its mouth before and after each subclavian artery angioplasty step. Three months later, the patient was free from any cardiac or neurologic complaints.     

Special cerebral perfusion in surgery for the ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: For surgical treatment of the ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), it is important to control bleeding and to protect the brain, spinal cord, and myocardium. We have developed and performed a new procedure on 6 patients with a ruptured TAA, a true aneurysm in 3 patients and a type A dissection in the other 3. METHOD: Cardiopulmonary bypass is installed with cannulations to the iliac artery and vein and to the common carotid arteries on both sides of the neck before the sternum is divided. For control of bleeding, venous drainage is accelerated, whereas cerebral perfusion is maintained via the carotid arteries. After insertion of the occlusion catheters into the descending aorta and the left subclavian artery following the aortotomy, the bypass flow to the iliac artery is increased. RESULTS: The arch replacement was performed in 4 patients and hemiarch replacement in two. Five patients are alive without neurologic deficits; one patient died of multi-organ failure on the 24th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that our procedure may be advantageous for patients with a ruptured TAA, a large retrosternal aneurysm, or reoperation of the thoracic aorta.     

Life saving carotid artery stenting in Takayasu arteritis

We present two patients who had high grade unilateral carotid artery stenosis and controlateral carotid artery occlusion secondary to active stage of Takayasu arteritis. The patients were presented with hemiplegia and history of transient ischemic attacks and visual disturbances. Despite the administration of high dose systemic corticosteroids, both patients deteriorated clinically and surgery was not preferred. Angiogram of the first patient revealed the occlusion of the right common carotid, right subclavian and left subclavian artery and high grade stenosis (>95%) of the left common carotid and right vertebral artery. These two stenotic arteries were stented. Angiogram of the second patient revealed the occlusion of the left common carotid and subclavian artery and high grade stenosis (>90%) of the right common carotid artery. PTA + stenting of the right carotid artery was performed. There were no complications during a follow-up period of 10.5±7 months and control angiograms revealed that all stented vessels were free of restenosis. In conclusion, stent-supported PTA to carotid arteries provides immediate symptomatic relief for patients in the active phase of the disease. Its efficacy in the long term should be investigated.     

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome after internal mammary artery bypass grafting. A cause of severe postoperative recurrent myocardial ischemia

A 65-year-old underwent a triple bypass: internal artery mammary-descending coronary artery, aorta diagonal-lateral coronary (sequential). Three weeks later he started to have severe angina pectoris with ST depression in anterior EKG leads. A left transradial coronary angiography was performed. The examination showed a total occlusion of the left subclavian artery 2 cm after the aortic arch and a retrograde flow in the internal mammary artery (IMA). Via transfemoral approach, angiography showed the patency of the aorto-veinous sequential graft and a retrograde flow through anastomosis in the left mammary artery. The patient underwent a reimplantation of the IMA on the brachiocephalic artery. One month later the patient is doing well without chest pain. A coronary subclavian steal syndrome should be suspected in case of recurrent ischaemia after IMA bypass, particularly if there is more than 20 mmHg systolic pressure differential between the arms. Left transradial approach achieved diagnostic in case of total left subclavian artery occlusion.     

Endoluminal stenting of a subclavian artery stenosis to treat ischemia in the distribution of a patent left internal mammary graft

Subclavian artery stenosis is a rare cause of recurrent myocardial ischemia in patients who have undergone left internal mammary-coronary artery bypass grafting. A patient with this syndrome was successfully treated by placement of Palmaz biliary stents in the left subclavian artery. Angiographic and hemodynamic evidence of restricted subclavian flow resolved following stenting, as did the patient's unstable angina syndrome. Endoluminal stenting of the proximal subclavian artery for the treatment of coronary-subclavian steal can be performed safely and provides an alternative to other forms of surgical or percutaneous (PTCA, directional atherectomy) revascularization for treatment of this disorder. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Carotid artery reconstruction for Takayasu's arteritis the necessity of all-autogenous-vein graft policy and development of a new operation.

BACKGROUND: We have adopted an all-autogenous-vein-graft policy in carotid reconstruction for Takayasu arteritis, namely an ascendo-right carotid and right subclavian (axillary) arteries bypass using a pantaloon vein graft for patients all of whose arch branches are occluded, and an extra-anatomical bypass from the right subclavian artery for patients whose brachiocephalic artery is the only arch branch that remains patent. This report is to elaborate on these operations and to assess the long-term outcome. METHODS: Six patients were operated on according to this policy; (5 women, 1 man, age range: 14 to 59 years (mean: 30). The indications for surgery were severe cerebral ischaemia that significantly interfered with their daily lives. The pantaloon vein graft bypass was performed in four patients, and an extra-anatomical bypass in two. The specific management protocol to prevent the "postbypass hyperperfusion syndrome" and cerebral oedema included a shunt procedure to the internal carotid artery using one limb of the pantaloon vein graft, induced hypotension just before the completion of the carotid reconstruction and the administration of a glycerine-fructose solution. RESULTS: Cerebral ischaemic symptoms disappeared in all patients. All but one, who died of a ruptured thoraco-abdominal aneurysm on the 35th postoperative month, are living a normal life with a patent graft. No suture line complications have as yet been encountered (follow-up: 10 to 205 months, mean: 126 months). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid vein bypass for Takayasu arteritis, particularly, the pantaloon vein graft bypass is recommended for those of whom all aortic arch branches are occluded, resulting in severe brain ischaemia. Perioperative blood pressure control is important for prevention of the hyperperfusion syndrome.     

Silent Double Aortic Arch Coincidentally Found During Cardiac Catheterization in Elderly Man

We describe a case of an elderly man known for coronary artery disease (previous bypass surgery) hospitalized for ischemia in inferior wall. Since the operation, the patient underwent coronary angiographies. Due to the impossibility of selective engagement of left subclavian artery from femoral access, LIMA was always visualized through a right radial approach. Despite the suspicious of abnormal origin of left subclavian artery, aortic angiography was never performed. During the third angiography, the double aortic arch was coincidentally visualized by using a left Amplatz catheter. The diagnosis was confirmed by 64‐slice computed tomography scan.