Immediate and Long-Term Outcome of Upper Extremity Balloon Angioplasty in Giant Cell Arteritis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To review the immediate and long-term results of subclavian, axillary, and brachial artery balloon angioplasty (PTA) in giant cell arteritis (GCA). CASE REPORTS: Four patients (3 men; mean age 65+/-8.9 years) with upper limb claudication due to GCA underwent PTA for 2 stenoses and 1 occlusion of the subclavian artery, 6 stenoses and 2 occlusions of the axillary artery, and 2 stenoses of the brachial artery. Patients received steroids prior to the intervention, and steroid treatment was continued for at least 2 years. All procedures were performed successfully with no residual stenosis. At follow-up after 2 years (n=2), 5 years (n=1), and 10 years (n=1), no significant recurrent stenoses were detected by duplex scanning. CONCLUSIONS: PTA is a safe and effective therapy for stenotic lesions and occlusions of the upper limb arteries due to GCA. The long-term results seem to benefit from postprocedural therapy with steroids and aspirin.