Subclavian Steal Syndrome

The definition of subclavian steal is the reversal of vertebral blood flow resulting from the stenosis or occlusion of one of the subclavian arteries or the innominate artery. It is a rare disease resulting in a variety of ischemic neurologic symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, diplopia, dysarthria, ataxia and nystagmus. Some patients show ischemic symptoms and digital necrosis of the involved arm. Among treatment options, Subclavian to carotid transposition is the most preferred method. We report a patient with subclavian steal syndrome who had 5th finger necrosis of the left hand without neurologic symptoms. It was successfully treated with a carotid-subclavian bypass with a 6 mm ePTFE graft.