Subclavian steal syndrome from high-output brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula: a previously undescribed complication of dialysis access

Abstract

A 28-year-old dialysis-dependent man presented with episodic vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Noninvasive studies demonstrated an estimated 5.8 L/min flow through the arteriovenous fistula in his left arm and reversal of flow in the left vertebral artery. Surgical reduction of fistula flow resulted in the elimination of symptoms and the return of antegrade flow in the left vertebral artery. intraoperative invasive monitoring corroborated the pressure gradient responsible for his subclavian steal syndrome.