Our experience of endovascular treatment in coronary subclavian steal syndrome with a review of the literature

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of endovascular treatment in patients with coronary subclavian steal syndrome. Material and Methods: The archive records for six patients diagnosed with coronary subclavian steal syndrome and treated using the endovascular method between January 2012 and August 2017 were examined retrospectively. Data concerning diagnosis and treatment were recorded and evaluated in the light of the current literature. Results: All patients had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery at external centers a mean 5.7 years previously. Angiography revealed severe stenosis in the proximal subclavian artery in three patients and total occlusion in three. One hundred percent success was achieved in the three patients with stenosis by establishing full patency by means of a stent procedure. Full patency was also established in two of the three patients with total occlusion using the stent procedure. The symptoms of the five patients treated successfully resolved post-procedurally. No restenosis findings were encountered at clinical and Doppler ultrasonography follow-ups. Conclusion: While surgical options predominated in the early years in the treatment of coronary subclavian steal syndrome, endovascular techniques are widely employed today. However, surgical therapeutic alternatives are still important for patients in whom success cannot be achieved with the endovascular method.