[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the arteries of the arm in brachial and cerebral ischemia].

35 patients with brachial and/or cerebral ischemia underwent 37 PTA's. Indications for PTA were stenosis (n = 31) or occlusion (n = 1) of the subclavian artery, stenosis of the brachiocephalic trunk (n = 2), stenosis of the axillary artery (n = 2) and stenosis of the brachial artery (n = 1). 23 patients demonstrated a subclavian steal phenomenon. However, the minority of patients (n = 10) presented with neurologic symptoms, which could be provoked by brachial exercise in only 3 patients. 7 of the 10 patients with cerebral ischaemia demonstrated additional significant stenosis of the extracranial arteries. The technical success rate for PTA was 89.2%. Two patients showed relapse of the stenosis. The clinical success rate regarding brachial ischaemia was 94.4% (follow-up: 6-37 months). Neurologic symptoms disappeared after treatment in 72.7%. Minor complications without clinical sequelae occurred in 8.6%.