Late stent fractures after endoluminal treatment of ostial supraaortic trunk arterial occlusive lesions

Purpose: Percutaneous catheter-based treatment of supraaortic trunk arterial occlusive lesions obviates the need for extraanatomic bypass or median sternotomy. Although early results have been encouraging, late outcomes have yet to be defined. Reported are long-term outcomes of supraaortic trunk stent placement with particular attention to structural failures. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of 27 ostial supraaortic trunk lesions managed with balloon-expandable or self-expandable stents. Treated vessels were innominate (n = 9), common carotid (n = 8), and subclavian (n = 10). Access to the target lesion was achieved either antegrade via the femoral artery (n = 13), retrograde through the brachial artery (n = 2), or through a cutdown on the common carotid artery (n = 12). Restenosis and stent integrity were detected with duplex imaging, computed tomography, conventional arteriography, and plain radiography. Mean follow-up time is 34 months. Results: Mean age was 68 years (eight men and 19 women), and mean stenosis was 85%. Preprocedural symptoms, including stroke, transient ischemic attack, arm fatigue, digital ischemia, and angina were present in 85% (23 of 27) of the group. At 30 days, there were no deaths, myocardial infarctions, or strokes. During follow-up, three type IV stent fractures in the innominate were detected as well as two midbody stent crush deformities with significant restenosis (one innominate and one common carotid). All stent failures were identified in heavily calcified lesions. Conclusions: Endoluminal stent placement in supraaortic trunk lesions is a viable early solution; however, mid- to long-term restenosis caused by bare metal fatigue and fractures, particularly in cases of calcified innominate artery lesions, are a worrisome finding.