Subclavian Steal Syndrome Overview

Subclavian steal syndrome, a form of peripheral artery disease (PAD), is a set of symptoms caused by a blockage in one of the subclavian arteries, the large arteries that supply the arms. Because of the location of the blockage, blood is shunted (“stolen”) away from the brain to the affected arm. Consequently, the symptoms of subclavian steal syndrome include not only arm symptoms but also neurological symptoms.

Overview

To understand subclavian steal syndrome, it is helpful to know something about the anatomy of the blood vessels in the head and neck. Blood is ejected into the aorta with each heartbeat, into the aortic arch—a horseshoe-shaped bend in the aorta located at the base of the neck. From the arch, the aorta courses downwards to the chest and abdomen.

The apex of the aortic arch gives off critical blood vessels that supply the arms and the head — the subclavian arteries, the carotid arteries, and the vertebral arteries. The subclavian arteries travel beneath the collar bones to supply blood to each arm. Before supplying the arms, however, each subclavian artery gives off a vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the base of the brain.

At the base of the brain, the two vertebral and branches of the two carotid arteries all communicate with each other in a vascular structure called the Circle of Willis. The Circle of Willis allows blood to be shunted from one artery to another, as a way of protecting brain tissue if one of the carotid or vertebral arteries should become blocked.

Subclavian steal syndrome works like this: atherosclerosis produces a blockage (either partial or complete) in one of the subclavian arteries just prior to the take-off of the vertebral artery. Blood flow to both the affected subclavian artery (which supplies the arm) and the vertebral artery are thus diminished. 

When this happens, blood can flow in the reverse direction (away from the brain) in the affected vertebral artery, to supply the blocked subclavian artery. In other words, blood is re-directed from the brain, via the Circle of Willis, down the affected vertebral artery, and back to the subclavian artery beyond the blockage.

This reversal in blood flow in the vertebral artery can wax and wane, depending on how actively the affected arm is being used. As a result, not only does the affected arm have the potential for a diminished blood supply, but so does the brain.

Symptoms

The symptoms of subclavian steal syndrome depend on the degree of blockage in the subclavian artery, and on the amount of work being performed by the affected arm.

Often when subclavian steal is present, there may be no symptoms at all at rest. But, if the blockage is large enough, two things can happen when the affected arm is exercised.

First, the arm muscles become starved for oxygen, producing claudication (dull pain and cramping), and possibly numbness and coolness. These symptoms most commonly appear when the arm is being exerted.

But more importantly, blood is shunted away from the brain, and neurological symptoms occur due to insufficient blood flow. These neurological symptoms may include lightheadedness, syncope (loss of consciousness), double vision and other visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, and vertigo.

As the degree of blockage increases, symptoms occur with less and less arm exercise.

Causes and Risk Factors

Subclavian steal syndrome is most commonly a manifestation of PAD, so its risk factors are the ones we all know about for cardiovascular disease: hypertension, diabetes, smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight.

In rare cases, subclavian steal may also be caused by a Takayasu’s arteritis (a type of arterial inflammation that occurs in young people), and as a complication of cardiac or thoracic surgery.

Diagnosis

To diagnose subclavian steal syndrome, the doctor first needs to look for it. This may not happen unless the patient describes symptoms that suggest this diagnosis.

Once subclavian steal syndrome is thought of, however, it is usually not difficult to make the diagnosis. Because there is partial blockage in a subclavian artery, the blood pressure in the affected arm is diminished. So there is usually a large difference in blood pressure between the two arms. The pulses in the affected arm are also diminished.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by non-invasive testing, such as with an MRI or CT scan, or with ultrasound (echo) techniques.

Treatment

Because subclavian steal syndrome is a form of PAD, it is treated the same way any PAD is treated.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a progressive disease that affects blood vessels throughout the body. It is critically important to employ all the risk reduction measures known to slow the progression of atherosclerosis, including smoking cessation, blood lipid management, control of hypertension, weight management, exercise, and control of diabetes.

The symptoms of mild subclavian steal syndrome may improve with such measures. If symptoms are significant or persistent, however, the blockage itself can be treated with a surgical bypass procedure, or with angioplasty and stenting.

A Word From Verywell

Subclavian steal syndrome is a form of peripheral artery disease affecting the subclavian artery, that can produce symptoms in both the affected arm and the brain. If mild, the condition is often treated with risk factor modification. But if symptoms become severe, the subclavian artery blockage needs to be relieved with a surgical or catheterization procedure.