Which finding is most likely to occur in a patient with right-sided subclavian artery stenosis?

When evaluating a patient with right-sided subclavian artery stenosis, one of the most characteristic findings is a monophasic Doppler signal in the right axillary artery. This is indicative of reduced blood flow due to the stenosis, which leads to a disruption in normal blood flow patterns. In arteries, a normal Doppler waveform reflects healthy, laminar flow, typically seen as a triphasic or biphasic pattern in large arteries. Stenosis creates turbulence and potential flow obstruction downstream, which manifests as a monophasic signal because the flow is compromised and not pulsing adequately as it should.

This finding helps diagnose the impact of the stenosis on peripheral circulation. The presence of monophasic signals suggests significant stenosis or occlusion, reinforcing that the vascular supply to the affected area—namely, the right arm—is impaired.

In contrast, the other options present different clinical scenarios. Reversed flow in the left vertebral artery could indicate collateral circulation or compensatory mechanisms but is not a primary finding associated with subclavian stenosis. Increased arm pressure on the right side would typically not occur with stenosis as it would result in decreased perfusion. Normal flow in the right vertebral artery would also not be expected,