Relationship of the degree of retrograde flow in vertebral artery and subclavian artery stenosis in subclavian steal syndrome

Objective To analyzed the relationship of the degree of retrograde flow in vertebral artery and subclavian artery stenosis in subclavian steal syndrome(SSS).Methods The ultrasound images of 32 patients with SSS were analyzed,then the results were compared with those of digital subtraction angiography(DSA) or magnetic resonance angiography(MRA).Results The degree of retrograde flow in the vertebral artery was positively correlated with stenosis degree of ipsilateral proximal subclavian or innominate artery.Conclusion According to the different degree of retrograde flow in vertebral artery,the degree of stenosis in proximal subclavian or innominate artery can be predicted in patients with SSS.