Myocardial thievery: the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome
Thomas J Takach1, George J Reul, Denton A Cooley
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
Insights
Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome, a reversal of blood flow in coronary bypass grafts, is more common than previously thought. Atherosclerosis in the subclavian artery is the main cause, leading to myocardial ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) involves reversed blood flow in internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts, causing myocardial ischemia.
- Atherosclerotic disease of the subclavian artery is the primary etiology of CSSS.
- CSSS, once considered rare, is increasingly recognized, suggesting underreporting and underestimated clinical impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes and background of coronary-subclavian steal syndrome.
- To discuss methods for preventing, diagnosing, and treating CSSS.
- To evaluate the influence of treatment on long-term survival and adverse events in CSSS patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of coronary-subclavian steal syndrome.
- Analysis of diagnostic modalities for CSSS.
- Review of therapeutic strategies and their outcomes.
Main Results:
- CSSS is linked to IMA graft dysfunction and subclavian artery atherosclerosis.
- Diagnosis involves non-invasive and invasive vascular imaging.
- Treatment options range from medical management to surgical revascularization.
Conclusions:
- CSSS poses significant risks, including myocardial ischemia and graft failure.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention are crucial for managing CSSS.
- Further research is needed to optimize long-term management and patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome entails the reversal of blood flow in a previously constructed internal mammary artery coronary conduit, which produces myocardial ischemia. The most frequent cause of the syndrome is atherosclerotic disease in the ipsilateral, proximal subclavian artery. Although coronary-subclavian steal was initially reported to be rare, the increasing documentation of this phenomenon and its potentially catastrophic consequences in recent series suggests that the incidence of the problem has been underreported and that its clinical impact has been underestimated. We review the causes and background of coronary-subclavian steal; methods of preventing, diagnosing, and treating it; and the potential influence of various treatment regimens on long-term survival and the likelihood of late adverse events in patients with coronary-subclavian steal syndrome.
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