Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty using a new peripheral cutting balloon for stenosis of arch vessels in aorto arteritis.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without stenting of steno-occlusions in the supra-aortic arch vessels in aortoarteritis is associated with higher residual stenosis and restenosis, particularly in those with diffuse disease. The use of the new peripheral cutting balloon (Boston Scientific Interventional Technologies, San Diego, CA, USA) in these lesions in aortoarteritis has not been described. We report here the first 2 cases of stand alone cutting angioplasty for 2 patients (3 arteries). One patient presented with a critical stenosis of the common carotid artery. We obtained a good immediate result but a restenosis appeared at 6 months, easily treated by a new angioplasty with cutting balloon and stent implantation. The second patient had an occlusion of the subclavian artery associated with a severe ostial vertebral artery stenosis. The immediate result was excellent and the 6-month clinical and angiographic control showed no restenosis.