Analysis of subclavian steal syndrome with transcranial Doppler ultrasonograply

Objective To analyze the relationship between the steal degree of vertebral artery with the severity of stenosis and vertebrobasilar ischemia(VBI) in subclavian steal syndrome(SSS) with transcranial Doppler ultrasonograply(TCD),and to evaluate the significance of tourniquet test and post-subclavian check. Methods 32 patients were divided into three groups according to the systolic velocity of subclavian artery(SA):mild or moderate stenosis group,severe stenosis group and occlusion group.The steal degree of VBI were compared between these three groups. Results In mild and moderate stenosis group,the rate of no steal or stage I steal was much higher( P 0.05),but the rate of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ steal was much lower(P 0.05) compared to that of the severe stenosis group.The rate of stage Ⅲ in severe stenosis group was lower than that in occlusion group (P 0.05).In the VBI,the rate of no steal was 4/9,the rate of stage Ⅰ steal was 6/12,the rate of stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ steal was 3/7 and 2/4. Conclusion The steal degree of vertebral is correlated with the stenosis of SA,and do not show relationship with VBI.The tourniquet test and the post-SA check may be helpful for the establishment of diagnosis.