How do you diagnose subclavian stenosis?
How do you diagnose subclavian stenosis?
A meticulous examination of segmental pulses and pressures, as well as judicious use of duplex ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography angiography, or conventional angiography can confirm the presence of subclavian stenosis.
What is subclavian stenosis?
In subclavian stenosis, the artery is simply narrowed, leading to decreased blood flow beyond the area of blockage. When the subclavian blockage is severe, or if the artery is completely blocked, a condition called ‘subclavian steal’ can occur (Figure 4).
What are the symptoms of subclavian stenosis?
The symptoms that do occur are tied to the area that is blocked. You may experience arm pain or muscle fatigue when using your arms above your head, or doing any activity that demands more oxygen-rich blood flow to the arms. Other symptoms can include: Dizziness (vertigo) with arm activity.
How serious is subclavian artery stenosis?
The condition has many potential causes, some of which can be serious without proper treatment. Subclavian steal syndrome affects the artery that supplies blood to the neck and head or the arteries that supply blood to the arms. Because of this, people may experience symptoms in these areas.
What is the treatment for subclavian stenosis?
Symptomatic subclavian artery occlusive disease should be treated with endovascular stenting and angioplasty as first line management. If it is not successful then open surgery should be considered. Bypassing the carotid to the subclavian or to the axillary artery are both good treatment modalities.
What happens if the right subclavian artery is blocked?
If you have subclavian artery disease, the symptoms you experience depend largely on the artery involved and the degree of blockage. Symptoms may reflect a lack of blood flow to the area being supplied, such as: Arm or hand pain with activity (claudication) Numbness (paresthesia)
How does subclavian stenosis affect blood pressure?
Subclavian artery occlusion is characterised by discrepancy of blood pressure between arms. Blood flow of the branchial artery is supplied from the contralateral vertebral artery to the ipsilateral artery, retrogradely. 1 As a result, ipsilateral blood pressure is lower.
Can subclavian stenosis cause high blood pressure?
Subclavian stenosis is associated with total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality independent of CVD risk factors. 4 Discrepancy of blood pressure for more than 10–15 mm Hg between both arms could help to identify patients who need further vascular assessment.