Subclavian artery stenosis caused by non-specific arteritis (Takayasu disease): treatment with Palmaz stent.

A 32-year old woman was admitted to the hospital with a sudden onset of right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia. Immediate angiographic examination revealed a severe form of type I Takayasu arteritis with occlusion of all supra-aortic vessels, with the exception of the left subclavian artery which was, however, almost completely occluded 1 cm proximal to the origin of the left vertebral artery. Since the latter provided the entire blood supply to the brain tissues, an immediate attempt was undertaken to dilate the left subclavian artery; when this was unrewarding, stenting of the lesion was successfully accomplished with excellent primary and 6-month follow-up results.