Partial subclavian steal syndrome in a congenitally anomalous subclavian artery

Abstract

Background. A subclavian steal syndrome results from the abnormal flow of blood due to the occlusion in the subclavian artery proximal to the origin of the vertebral artery. A case of a male patient with a partial subclavian steal syndrome is presented.

Case report. The syndrome was caused by a stenotic lesion of an aberrant right sublcavian artery (the so called »lusorian artery«). The partial subclavian steal was recognized using the duplex ultrasound which showed the »to and fro« pattern in the right vertebral artery. Angiography of the aortic arch revealed the arterial anomaly. In our case, duplex ultrasound was a crucial method in diagnosing the partial subclavian steal syndrome. However, in order to show the arterial anomaly, the final evaluation had to be performed using arteriography.

Conclusions. The early recognized partial subclavian steal syndrome provides good understanding of patient’s symptoms, successful follow up, and a variety of treatment options.