Diagnosis and management of unilateral subclavian steal syndrome with bilateral carotid artery stenosis

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Jul 26:68:102597. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102597. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Subclavian steal syndrome is a rare phenomenon occurring from retrograde blood flow in the vertebral artery due to proximal stenosis in the subclavian artery. As a result, the arm gets blood supply from the vertebral artery at the expense of the vertebrobasilar system. The patient remains largely asymptomatic until there is an increase demand for blood supply to the arm, resulting in a constellation of symptoms including dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, diplopia, headache, syncope, postural hypotension, neurologic deficits, and rarely, memory problems. The management approach depends on the severity of clinical symptoms but includes medical treatment, endovascular therapy and lifestyle modifications.

Keywords: Carotid stenosis. endovascular; Subclavian steal syndrome; Vertebral artery stenosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports