The clinical consequences of shunting blood from the vertebrobasilar artery, usually on the left side, around an occluded subclavian artery on that side, and into the left arm.
Episodes of reoccurring blurred or double vision, accompanied by loss of coordination or dizziness, particularly when moving one arm (typically the left one), characterize subclavian steal syndrome. This condition arises from the constriction of the arteries that provide blood to the arms, primarily caused by atherosclerosis. While the blood supply is satisfactory when the arm is at rest, movement redirects extra blood away from the base of the brain to cater to the arm’s needs. Addressing the syndrome involves arterial reconstructive surgery as a form of treatment.