Incidental finding of arteria lusoria during transradial coronary catheterization: Significance in interventional cardiology

Arteria lusoria is the most common anomaly of the aortic arch with an incidence of 0.5%–2.5%. It is mostly diagnosed incidentally while performing imaging for evaluation of other unrelated medical conditions. The aberrant right subclavian artery arises beyond the origin of the left subclavian artery from the aortic arch. This results in a complex right‐subclavian‐aortic anatomy which leads to difficulty in transradial coronary angiography. This can lead to prolonged procedure time and increased use of catheters by unaware interventionists. This is even more important if this is encountered in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction. Our review takes into account clinical significance of this uncommon anomaly in the field of interventional cardiology.     

Catheter‐based treatment of the subclavian and innominate arteries

Objectives : We report outcomes in patients undergoing catheter‐based intervention for symptomatic subclavian and innominate artery (S/IA) atherosclerosis. Background : Symptomatic S/IA obstructive lesions have traditionally been treated with open surgical revascularization. Catheter‐based endovascular therapies reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery in many vascular beds. Methods : Between December 1993 and May 2006, 170 patients underwent primary stent placement in 177 S/IA arteries. Indications for revascularization included arm ischemia (57%), subclavian steal syndrome (37%), coronary‐subclavian steal syndrome (21%), and planned coronary bypass surgery with the involved internal mammary artery (8%). Results : Technical success was achieved in 98.3% (174/177) arteries, including 99.4% for stenotic lesions (155/156) and 90.5% for occlusions (19/21). There were no procedure‐related deaths and one stroke (0.6%, 1/170). Follow‐up was obtained in 151 (89%) patients at 35.2 ± 30.8 months, with a target vessel revascularization rate of 14.6% (23/157). At last follow‐up, 82% (124/151) of all treated patients remained asymptomatic with a primary patency of 83% and a secondary patency of 96%. Conclusions : Catheter‐based revascularization with stents for symptomatic S/IA lesions is safe and effective with excellent patency rates and sustained symptom resolution in the majority (>80%) of patients over 3 years of follow‐up. Percutaneous primary stent therapy is the preferred method of revascularization in patients with suitable anatomy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Endovascular treatment of the subclavian artery: stent implantation with or without predilatation.

The endovascular treatment of subclavian artery (SA) lesions is less invasive than open surgical repair, with a low rate of complications. We report our experience in 89 subclavian obstructive lesions (n = 86) treated with stenting: 76 (85.3%) stenoses and 13 (14.6%) total occlusions. The left side was most frequently involved (83.1%), localized at the prevertebral segment in 91%. Technical success was obtained in 83 (93.3%) cases, 100% in stenotic lesions and 53.8% in total occlusions. There were nine global complications (10.1%): five (5.6%) at site of puncture, two distal embolization (2.2%), and two (2.3%) major events. The long-term follow-up was 3.51 +/- 1.98 years, during which time 13 (16.8%) restenoses and 2 (2.6%) reocclusions were noted. Subgroup analysis of patients with stenting after predilatation versus direct stenting technique showed in-hospital complications only in the first group, with a restenosis rate of 28.5% vs. 4.7%, respectively (P = 0.003). We consider stenting for SA obstructive lesions the first therapeutic option.     

Dysphagia lusoria: a comprehensive review

Dysphagia lusoria is a rare vascular anomaly identified in a small number of patients being evaluated for dysphagia. The purpose of this paper is to present an illustrative case and provide a comprehensive review of the underlying anatomy, diagnosis, and management of dysphagia lusoria based on a review of the medical and surgical literature over the past 20 years.     

Successful urgent endovascular surgery for symptomatic subclavian artery aneurysmal compression of the trachea.

The purpose of this study is to report the progress of a patient who entered the hospital with symptomatic tracheal compression from a large right subclavian artery aneurysm that was treated with a self-expanding stent graft. The patient was at increased risk for traditional surgery, thus endovascular isolation of the aneurysm was felt to be reasonable. A flexible self-expanding stent graft was placed via a brachial artery cutdown and common femoral access without complication. The symptoms improved and the patient remained asymptomatic at 2-year follow-up with serial CT scan confirmation of aneurysm regression. This unusual case illustrates that endovascular decompression of an aneurysm may have some benefit in alleviating subacute symptoms of extrinsic encroachment into other vital structures. Technical and clinical success was achieved with the stent graft deployment and this seems to be a reasonable alternative to surgery in such patients.     

Subclavian artery dissection during diagnostic cardiac catheterization: The role of conservative management

Dissection of the subclavian artery during routine cardiac catheterization while obtaining cannulation to the left internal mammary artery is an unusual complication and to our knowledge has never been reported. Conservative management of this vascular injury can avoid the sequelae of high-risk surgical repairs made difficult by a complex operative exposure. We describe a case in which dissection of the left subclavian artery was treated conservatively with an excellent outcome.     

Concomitant coronary and subclavian steal caused by ipsilateral subclavian artery stenosis and arteriovenous fistula in a hemodialysis patient.

Patients with chronic renal failure, because of concomitant conventional cardiovascular and uremia-associated risk factors, are at risk of developing diffuse and accelerated atherosclerosis involving both the coronary and peripheral territories. We report an end-stage renal failure patient with a history of coronary artery bypass surgery who developed both angina and dizziness during hemodialysis via a left forearm arteriovenous fistula. Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosed the presence of significant subclavian artery stenosis. The patient then underwent successful percutaneous stenting of the left subclavian artery. His angina and dizziness symptoms resolved subsequently.     

Coronary intervention and arteria lusoria—Not simple as it may seem

We reviewed the letter from Dr. Walter W. Woody and would like to thank him for showing his interest in our article and providing his opinion and point of view. However, we respectfully disagree with few points that have been raised. Switching to a femoral approach was considered to be a safer alternative for percutaneous intervention due to the presence of arteria lusoria. Risks and possible complications would include increased contrast use, increased radiation exposure, aortic dissection and even cerebral stroke, all of which have been reported extensively in literature. One single procedural methodology cannot be applied to a particular clinical scenario, whether simple or challenging. We have multiple different catheters and multiple different interventional approaches at our disposal to help and guide us through a case, in the best interest of the patient.     

症状性锁骨下动脉狭窄或闭塞的腔内治疗效果分析

目的 探讨症状性锁骨下动脉窃血综合征患者血管腔内技术治疗的临床有效性和安全性。方法 选取首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院血管外科2011年1月至2015年8月收治的症状性锁骨下动脉狭窄或闭塞患者38例,其中男27例,女11例;平均年龄为（66.2±10.8）岁。患者均表现为头晕等神经系统症状,部分合并上肢缺血症状。运用血管腔内技术,对锁骨下动脉进行球囊扩张成形及支架植入术。结果 36例患者均成功植入球扩式支架,术后双上肢收缩压差显著改善,神经系统症状消失或改善33例,无效2例,1例术中发生脑梗死,经康复锻炼后好转;2例操作没成功,保守治疗。随访期间再狭窄3例,支架断裂1例。结论 严格掌握适应证,采用腔内技术治疗锁骨下动脉狭窄或闭塞的神经系统症状安全有效,操作简单。     

Transesophageal echocardiographic identification of left subclavian artery stenosis with steal phenomenon

In this report, we present the first case of the transesophageal echocardiographic identification of left subclavian artery stenosis and steal phenomenon.     

Mediastinal arteriovenous fistulae in the adult: case report and review of the literature

An adult with an asymptomatic mediastinal arterio-venous fistula is presented. The diagnosis was established using angiography and oximetry after noninvasive imaging failed to identify the source of a continuous murmur. The literature is reviewed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss,Inc..     

Operation for huge subclavian artery aneurysm: a case report

Subclavian artery aneurysm is extremely rare, and further aneurysm compressing trachea and leading to breathing difficulty is more exceptional. The most common causes of subclavian artery aneurysm are atherosclerosis, trauma and post-stenotic dilated aneurysm secondary to thoracic outlet syndrome, besides, the rare causes include infective, syphilitic media necrosis and so on. We present a case report in which the patient presented with sever dyspnea due to compression of trachea by a 7 cm large subclavian artery aneurysm. After operation, the patient improved symptomatically. The blood pressure remained stable, blood circulation of right upper extremity was fine, and pulse was improved comparing with that before operation. Chest film confirmed tumor shrank and depressed trachea improved significantly. The patient was discharged 14 days later and continued anticoagulant therapy after discharge. Follow up one month later after the operation revealed breathing difficulty disappeared, and patient was with normal right upper extremity movement and good blood circulation.     

迷走右锁骨下动脉合并主动脉夹层1例

迷走右锁骨下动脉（ARSA）是发自降主动脉近端较常见的主动脉弓大血管异常。ARSA在起始部位可出现内膜撕裂而导致主动脉夹层的发生,从而引起血流受限和后期的动脉瘤样变性。笔者报道了1例起源于ARSA的急性A型主动脉夹层。ARSA合并A型主动脉夹层实属罕见,术前经CT血管造影（CTA）得以确诊,CTA对本病进行外科治疗决策非常有价值。临床医师应对迷走右锁骨下动脉合并主动脉夹层引起注意,以做到早期诊断,早期处理。     

Emergent stent graft isolation of a knife-related subclavian arterial venous fistula: lessons learned during long-term follow-up.

We present the unusual case of a 42-year-old gentleman who entered the trauma center with a hemothorax and intermittent bright red pulsatile blood from three stab wounds in the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa. The patient was found on emergent angiography to have a large right subclavian artery to vein fistula that was treated successfully with a Dacron-covered stent. Angiography, 2 years following stent-graft isolation, confirmed a durable result with evidence of hemodynamically insignificant neointimal growth through the pores of the graft material. This case provides insight into the long-term effects of a Dacron-covered stent in patients with traumatic arterial injury. We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different graft materials based on these angiographic findings.     

Aneurysms of an aberrant right subclavian artery: report of two cases

Aneurysm of the aberrant right subclavian artery is rare. We report two patients who underwent successful repair using hypothermic circulatory arrest and retrograde cerebral perfusion. One patient presented with progressive dysphagia to solids and hoarseness of voice due to pressure exerted by the expanding aneurysm, and the second patient, with a dissected subclavian aneurysm, presented with transient ischaemic attacks and a previous cerebral infarct secondary to embolism. Repair in both patients was done through a median sternotomy with femoral arterial and right atrial venous cannulation. Under hypothermic circulatory arrest, the origin of the subclavian aneurysm was divided off the aorta and closed with a Dacron patch from outside the aorta in one patient, and from within the aorta in the other patient. Concomitant revascularisation of the right upper limb was achieved using a 12-mm Hemishield Dacron graft from the ascending aorta to the distal right subclavian artery. The graft to subclavian anastomosis was done under hypothermic circulatory arrest as distal control was not possible. The graft to the aortic anastomosis was done over a side-biting clamp during rewarming. Both patients were successfully treated without major morbidity.     

Subclavian artery to pulmonary circulation fistulas

A case of right subclavian artery to pulmonary circulation fistula is described. A review of the literature surprisingly reveals that until December 1981 only three other cases involving the subclavian artery have been reported. Only one of these and the case described here seem likely to be of congenital origin.