ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical data and ultrasonic hemodynamic differences in different types of subclavian artery steal syndrome (SSS).

MethodsA total of 121 patients with SSS detected by ultrasonography in The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China were selected, including 53 patients with type Ⅰ, 40 patients with type Ⅱ and 28 patients with type Ⅲ.The clinical data and hemodynamic parameters of the patients were analyzed.

ResultsThere was no significant difference in age, sex, etiology and lesion site of typeⅠ, type Ⅱ, and type Ⅲ SSS (P>0.05).The vertebral artery diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) on the affected side of SSS were smaller than those on the healthy side (P < 0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the diameter of the affected vertebral artery, the EDV of the vertebral artery and the EDV of the healthy vertebral artery among the three types of SSS (P>0.05).The PSV of the affected and healthy vertebral arteries of type Ⅲ SSS was the fastest, and there was no significant difference between type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ SSS (P < 0.05).The vertebral artery RI in the affected and healthy side of type Ⅲ SSS was higher than that in type Ⅰ (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).The degree of SSS blood steal was positively correlated with the degree of subclavian artery stenosis (r_s=0.527, P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThere are differences in hemodynamics between the affected and healthy vertebral arteries of different types of SSS.Combining with the spectral morphology of vertebral arteries, the degree of blood steal and the degree of subclavian artery stenosis can be better judged.