Acta radiologica
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The effect of subclavian steal on the contralateral vertebral flow and its possible effect on carotid flow were studied and the US results were compared to the angiographic findings. ⋯ A complete vertebral steal at US correlated well with subclavian occlusion and a partial steal suggested stenosis of the subclavian artery. There were also flow changes in the contralateral vertebral artery and the common carotid arteries that compensated for the steal. Retrograde vertebral flow at US was sometimes associated with vertebral occlusion in subclavian stenosis without a true subclavian steal.