Risk of stroke in imaging-proven subclavian steal syndrome.

To determine the risk of stroke in patients with subclavian steal syndrome (SSS). We identified 165 patients with imaging-provenSSS from two hospitals. Demographic, clinical and imaging data were retrospectively collected. Patients were followed up for stroke events. Stroke occurred in 43 patients with a median follow-up of 28months. Seven of these cases were identified prospectively and 36 cases retrospectively. On multivariate analysis, presence of symptoms at presentation (p=0.029) was a significant predictor of stroke. Presence of symptoms at presentation predicted stroke in imaging-proven SSS.