Congenital aortic arch abnormalities with the "subclavian-steal" pattern of blood flow.

Since Reivich et al. (1961) drew attention to the reversal of flow in a vertebral artery resulting from obstruction of the origin of the ipsilateral subclavian artery, many cases of the so-called "subclaviansteal" syndrome have been reported. In most of these cases the obstruction has been caused by arteriosclerosis or an arteritis. Massumi (1963) reported the case of a boy of 6 years who had the "subclavian-steal" pattern of blood flow from congenital subclavian atresia. A further case of this rare congenital variety is reported below.