Effect of Subclavian Flap Angioplasty on Growth and Circulation of the Left Front Leg in Pigs

Abstract

The effect of subclavian flap angioplasty on the growth of the left front limb and on its collateral circulation was studied in 11 pigs. The left subclavian artery and its first branch, the costocervical trunk, were divided while the remaining three branches--the deep cervical, the vertebral and the internal thoracic artery--were preserved. Postoperative angiographies (5 pigs) showed that the blood supply to the left front limb was maintained through these three branches, which acted as collaterals, supplying blood in retrograde fashion. The left vertebral artery was seen to be the predominant collateral already on postoperative day 1. Four months later the diameter of the left vertebral artery had increased more than that of the contralateral (right) vertebral artery. Eight months postoperatively the size of both front legs (6 pigs) was the same. No signs of cerebral disturbance were seen. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed.