Proximal flow arrest with temporary subclavian steal for internal trapping of a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm.

A 48-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage originating from a dissecting aneurysm of the left vertebral artery (VA). Internal trapping with proximal flow arrest was planned. The origin of the left VA was too tortuous to allow positioning of an occlusion balloon catheter and a microcatheter in the left VA via the femoral artery. Therefore, the temporary subclavian steal technique was used for proximal flow arrest, by placing an occlusion balloon catheter in the subclavian artery proximal to the VA origin via the femoral artery. Thereafter, coil embolization was achieved through the left axillary artery. The patient recovered well after the procedure.