Limbs, Spine & Vascular Anatomy

Question 1

What are symptoms of subclavian steal syndrome?

Answer 1

Episodic dizziness, vertigo and left/right arm claudication.

Subclavian artery occlusion or a hemodynamically significant stenosis proximal to the origin of the vertebral artery results in lower pressure in the distal subclavian artery. As a result, blood flows from the contra-lateral vertebral artery to the basilar artery. Neurologic symptoms can be caused by vertebrobasilar ischaemia of the brainstem.