Subclavian artery aneurysms.

We report the management of 14 subclavian artery aneurysms (13 true, one false) occurring in seven male and seven female patients (average age, 48 years). The aetiology of the aneurysms included thoracic outlet syndrome in eight, atherosclerosis in five and infection in one patient. Twelve aneurysms were of extrathoracic location, while two aneurysms were intrathoracic. Symptoms related to subclavian artery aneurysms were present in 11 patients (compression in four, haemorrhage in one, and ischaemia in six patients), whereas three aneurysms were asymptomatic. All aneurysms were treated surgically. The supraclavicular approach was used in 11 cases, and the combined transsternal and supraclavicular approach was used in two cases. After aneurysm resection, the reconstruction was performed with end-to-end anastomosis in five cases and with saphenous vein or synthetic grafts in eight cases. One infected subclavian artery aneurysm was treated with carotid to axillary saphenous vein bypass after exclusion of the aneurysm. Five associated brachial embolectomies and one bypass from the axillary to the distal brachial artery were performed. In all thoracic outlet syndrome cases, decompression at the thoracic outlet was also performed. There was no operative mortality, and the early patency rate was 100%. The follow-up period was from 6 months to 10 years (mean, 3.92 years). During this period, one patient died of malignancy and one patient required reoperation due to aneurysmal degeneration of the saphenous vein graft. Surgical treatment is recommended for all patients with subclavian artery aneurysms to prevent potential complications.