Intraoperative diagnosis and successful management of acute coronary–subclavian steal syndrome during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a case report - Report - MDSpire

Intraoperative diagnosis and successful management of acute coronary–subclavian steal syndrome during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a case report

  • By

  • Da Gong

  • Fuqiang Zhang

  • Jin Wang

  • May 15, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Intraoperative Identification and Treatment of CSSS During CABG

Overview

This report details a rare case of acute coronary-subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) occurring intraoperatively during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The condition was diagnosed using transit-time flow measurement and successfully treated with immediate LIMA graft reconstruction.

Background

Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is a serious complication that can occur after CABG, particularly when there is significant stenosis of the left subclavian artery. This condition can lead to myocardial ischemia due to reversed blood flow in the left internal mammary artery (LIMA). Intraoperative identification of CSSS is exceptionally rare, making this case significant for surgical practice.

Data Highlights

{'CK-MB': {'preoperative': '0'}, 'hsTnI': {'preoperative': '0'}, 'NT-proBNP': {'preoperative': '0'}}

Key Findings

  • Acute CSSS can occur intraoperatively during CABG, leading to myocardial ischemia.
  • Transit-time flow measurement (TTFM) is effective for diagnosing CSSS in real-time.
  • Immediate surgical intervention, such as LIMA graft reconstruction, can restore normal blood flow.
  • Postoperative recovery can be stable with appropriate management, including IABP support.
  • Monitoring cardiac biomarkers is crucial for assessing myocardial injury during and after surgery.

Clinical Implications

This case emphasizes the importance of intraoperative flow evaluation to identify rare complications like CSSS. Surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion for CSSS in patients undergoing CABG, particularly those with known subclavian artery stenosis.

Conclusion

Intraoperative identification and management of CSSS are critical for preventing serious complications during CABG. This case highlights the need for vigilant monitoring and prompt surgical response.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Gonzalez-Urquijo et al., 2026 -- Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome: A case series and review of the literature
  2. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2022 -- Prevalence of Subclavian Artery Stenosis in Individuals Undergoing Mammary Artery Bypass with Suspected Progression of Coronary Artery Disease
  3. Pediatric Cardiology, 2017 -- The Role of Routine Coronary CT Angiography in Assessing Patients with Transposition of the Great Arteries Post-Arterial Switch Operation
  4. Pediatric Cardiology, 2020 -- Proceedings of the PICS-AICS Virtual Symposium Held from September 10 to 12, 2020
  5. Fast Fourier transform analysis of intraoperative transit-time flow measurement during coronary artery bypass grafting | Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
  6. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine — OPCAB in the minimally invasive era: impact on wound complications—a comparative study with on-pump CABG
  7. ESC Guidelines on Peripheral Arterial Disease
  8. Coronary-subclavian steal syndrome: A case series and review of the literature - Mauricio Gonzalez-Urquijo, Francisco Valdes, Juan Francisco Bulnes, Josemaria Torres-Alvarez, Jose Francisco Vargas, Michel Bergoeing, Renato Mertens, Leopoldo Marine, 2026
  9. Fast Fourier transform analysis of intraoperative transit-time flow measurement during coronary artery bypass grafting | Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery | Full Text

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