| Summary: | Subclavian steal syndrome is a well described but usually underdiagnosed condition. We present a documented case of subclavian steal syndrome and a review of the literature, focusing on the the importance of image techniques in its diagnosis.
Our patient presented with a carotid territory transient ischemic attack. While searching for the etiological diagnosis, an ultrasound Doppler study of the cervical arteries was performed, revealing a subclavian steal syndrome. This finding, in a patient that presented no related symptoms, was later confirmed with an aortic angio-CT scan.
Subclavian steal syndrome is a rare pathology caused by an occlusion or severe stenosis at the subclavian artery origin, generating a reverse flow in the ipsilateral vertebral artery; the patient may show symptoms of posterior circulation hypoperfusion and ischemia of the involved upper limb. However, absence of symptoms is frequent and diagnosis is often achieved as an unexpected finding during examinations performed in the evaluation of other conditions.
We point out the importance of an early diagnosis in patients with panvascular disease undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery, which could avoid post surgical complications such as coronary steal syndrome.
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