A new form of coronary subclavian steal syndrome: ‘the spinning wheels’ syndrome

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome refers to decreased or reversed internal mammary artery flow, which causes angina related to severe subclavian steno-occlusive disease in patients with in situ internal mammary-to-coronary artery graft. We report a case, the first in the literature, of a right internal mammary artery-coronary-subclavian unidirectional steal syndrome. Clinical features, pathophysiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of this unusual adverse event are discussed. 2008 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.