Backgrounds: This review was conducted to analyze the long-term results of carotid-subclavian bypass with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts used for occlusive subclavian artery disease.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical records of 66 (54 for subclavian steal syndrome and 12 for coronary steal syndrome) patients undergone carotid-subclavian bypass between January 1990 and January 2003 were reviewed. Early (operative mortality and morbidity) and late results cumulative patency and overall survival rates were analyzed with life-table method.

Results: There was no intraoperative mortality and one case of mortality in 30-day follow-up. Only one peri-operative cerebrovascular accident was observed. Over a mean follow-up of 96 months (6-44 months) after operation, 13 patients died. The primary patency rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 98%, 91%, 83% and 47% and the overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 100%, 95%, 93% and 38%, respectively.

Conclusions: Carotid-subclavian bypass with PTFE grafts is a safe, effective and durable procedure. It can be easily applied to patients under regional anaesthesia when percutaneous intervention is unsuccessful or impossible.

Keywords : Carotid, subclavian, coronary artery, bypass, steal syndrome