Perioperative management - Alloplastic carotid-subclavian bypass for left subclavian artery stenosis

Stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian artery with clearly attributable symptoms:

• clinically relevant vertebrobasilar insufficiency that is reproducible by provocation tests
• hypoperfusion of the arm requiring treatment (brachial claudication)

• general inoperability (severe CHD, COPD, inoperable tumor disease)
• inoperable peripheral vasculature
• Status post radiation in the vascular region, e.g., after neck dissection
• asymptomatic stenoses!

History

• vascular risk factors: smoking, arterial hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders, diabetes mellitus

Clinical-Neurological Examination

• > 90 % of stenoses and occlusions of supra-aortic vessels (ICA, vertebral artery, etc.) remain clinically asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during screening examinations or preoperative imaging
• the symptomatology derives from the location of the lesions at the distribution point of cerebral perfusion and the supply of the upper extremity

1. Cerebral Symptoms

• occlusive processes of the subclavian artery near the aortic arch before the origin of the vertebral artery → vertebrobasilar insufficiency: intermittent vertigo ("drop-attacks"), inner ear hearing loss, gait instability
• occlusive processes in the vertebral artery territory -> Wallenberg syndrome: Horner syndrome, ataxia, velar paresis (each ipsilateral), dissociated sensory disturbances contralateral
• Steal phenomenon: provocation of symptoms (vertigo, drop-attacks) by working with the arm on the affected side (due to withdrawal of blood from the basilar territory via retrograde flow of the vertebral artery)

2. Peripheral Symptoms

• blood pressure reduction in the affected arm
• weakened or absent pulse in the upper extremity
• brachial claudication

Doppler and Duplex Sonography

In the ultrasound examination of the extracranial brain-supplying vessels, all vessels should always be assessed in transverse and longitudinal sections:

• common carotid artery from proximal to the carotid bifurcation
• carotid bifurcation with dorsolateral originating internal carotid artery
• external carotid artery
• vertebral artery in segments V1 to V3
• subclavian artery and axillary artery

Both the brachiocephalic trunk and the origin area of the left subclavian artery are usually not directly visible for anatomical reasons. However, from the flow spectrum of the more cranial arterial sections, stenoses in the inflow can be indirectly inferred (fist closure test, application of a blood pressure cuff → flow reversal).

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), MR Angiography

• depiction of the supra-aortic circulation including arm and the steal circuit

CT or MRI Brain

• exclusion of cerebral ischemic events

Cardiological Examination

• resting, stress ECG
• if necessary, cardiac echo

Chest X-ray Examination

Laboratory

• CBC
• electrolytes
• coagulation
• retention values
• liver enzymes
• blood lipids
• blood group

• Mark the side, shave
• Fasting 2 – 6 hours depending on clinic standard
• Leave platelet aggregation inhibitors; in dual therapy, individual decision depending on cardiac risk profile

General Surgical Risks

• Severe bleeding, blood transfusions, transmission of Hepatitis/HIV through blood products
• Allergy/Intolerance
• Wound infection
• Thrombosis/Embolism
• Skin, vascular, nerve damage e.g. due to positioning
• Keloids

Specific Surgical Risks

• Cerebral perfusion disorders/Stroke
• Injury to neck nerves: Hoarseness, voice loss, swallowing and breathing disorders, mouth corner paresis, uncontrolled tongue movements, shoulder elevation weakness, Horner's syndrome (Miosis, Ptosis, Enophthalmos)
• Postoperative bleeding, possibly emergency surgical relief
• Increased infection risk with vascular prostheses made of plastic; Sepsis, possibly surgical revision with removal of the prosthesis
• Cardiopulmonary complications: Myocardial infarction, Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism
• Suture aneurysm -> Re-OP
• Intraoperative angiography: contrast medium-induced renal insufficiency
• Lymph fistula, Lymph cyst