"What is Subclavian Steal Syndrome?"

Subclavian Steal Syndrome refers to partial or complete occlusive damage in the proximal segment of the subclavian artery or the vertebral artery origin of the brachiocephalic trunk. Due to the siphoning effect, blood flow in the vertebral artery on the affected side reverses direction and enters the distal end of the subclavian artery on the same side, leading to ischemic attacks in the vertebrobasilar artery and ischemic symptoms in the upper limb on the affected side. There are various causes of Subclavian Steal Syndrome, the most common of which is atherosclerosis, followed by specific or nonspecific arteritis. Congenital maldevelopment, iatrogenic injuries, and trauma may also lead to this syndrome.

The symptoms of Subclavian Steal Syndrome mainly include vertigo, limb paresis, sensory abnormalities, bilateral visual disturbances, ataxia, diplopia, and syncope. These symptoms are primarily caused by ischemic attacks in the vertebrobasilar artery and ischemia in the upper limb blood vessels. The gold standard for diagnosis is digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Treatment methods for Subclavian Steal Syndrome include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stent placement and surgical intervention. PTA involves delivering a balloon catheter to the stenotic or occluded area of the subclavian artery, inflating the balloon to reconstruct the arterial lumen, and optionally implanting a stent to prevent elastic recoil and arterial dissection. In cases of severe illness or other complications, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Prevention of Subclavian Steal Syndrome includes controlling risk factors, early diagnosis, and treatment. Controlling risk factors primarily involves actively treating underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and engaging in appropriate exercise. Early diagnosis and treatment can effectively reduce the incidence of this syndrome.