BALLOON-EXPANDABLE STENT IMPLANTATION AFTER IATROGENIC ARTERIAL DISSECTION OF THE LEFT SUBCLAVIAN ARTERY

A patient undergoing attempted angioplasty of a left internal mammary artery graft to left anterior descending coronary artery developed an iatrogenic dissection of the left subclavian artery, with symptoms of left arm claudication. A balloon expandable stent was inserted with an excellent angiographic result, The patient has remained free of symptoms or signs of decreased arm flow, with a patent subclavian artery demonstrated on angiography 8 months later, The excellent early-to-moderate term clinical and angiographic results support the efficacy of this technical approach. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.