Stenting for left subclavian artery stenosis in patients scheduled for left internal mammary artery‐coronary artery bypass grafting

Objectives To evaluate the early and long‐term outcomes of stent placement for left subclavian artery stenosis (LSAS) in patients scheduled for left internal mammary artery‐coronary artery bypass grafting (LIMA‐CABG). Background Few studies have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of endovascular therapy for the treatment of LSAS before LIMA‐CABG; therefore, use of this therapy requires further exploration and evaluation. Methods Between February 2000 and April 2014, the clinical data of 167 consecutive patients (mean age 64 ± 9 years, 141 males) scheduled for LIMA‐CABG with LSAS who were treated by stenting at the Fuwai Hospital were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results The technical success rate of the procedure was 97.6% (163/167). The mean stenosis of target lesions decreased from 86.5 ± 9.9% to 7.6 ± 4.6% ( P < 0.001). The incidences of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction, as well as the combined incidence of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction from the time of stenting to 30 days after the stenting procedure were 0.6% ( n = 1), 1.8% ( n = 3), 0% ( n = 0), and 1.8% ( n = 3), respectively. The 10‐year rate of follow‐up was 94.6%. The overall survival rate was 98.8% at 1 year, 97.5% at 2 years, 93.9% at 5 years, and 86.2% at 10 years. A total of 14.1% (23/163) of patients developed in‐stent restenosis. Stent restenosis‐related angina and myocardial infarction were observed in 13 and 3 patients, respectively. The patency rates of the left subclavian artery were 95.7, 93.8, 86.5, and 75.2% at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively. The target vessel reconstruction rate was 8.0% (13/163). Conclusions Stenting of LSAS at experienced medical centers for patients scheduled for LIMA‐CABG was safe and effective with a low incidence of complication and in‐stent restenosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.