[Surgical therapy of occlusions of the brachiocephalic trunk: long-term follow-up after transthoracic reconstruction].

Hemodynamically relevant lesions of the innominate artery can be treated either by extraanatomic bypass or by intrathoracic repair. 32 patients were retrospectively evaluated after ascending aorta to innominate artery interposition graft. In all except 6 cases additional bypass-procedures to extracranial vessels were necessary for complete revascularisation. The patency rate was 100% after a mean follow up period of 871 days. Only one patient suffered from a perioperative stroke with upper extremity paresis which resolved after 2 weeks. There were 3 wound complications which required reoperation. In conclusion we believe that direct intrathoracic repair for innominate artery occlusion can be recommended as a treatment of choice with a high long-term patency rate.