[Comparison of angiography and continuous-wave Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of subclavian stenoses and of the subclavian steal syndrome]

Abstract

Angiographic control of ultrasonographic findings (continuous-wave (CW) Doppler sonography) at the subclavian artery was performed in 149 patients, altogether 254 subclavian arteries, 89 with and 165 without stenosis or occlusion at Doppler examination. Additionally, in 70 of these persons the vertebral haemodynamic situation was investigated by means of angiography. CW Doppler sonography proved a highly reliable method for the diagnosis of subclavian lesions and subclavian steal syndrome. If properly performed, CW Doppler sonography does not fail to reveal stenoses amounting to more than 50%, occlusions, and retrograde vertebral blood flow. Regarding tight stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian artery and retrograde blood flow in the vertebral artery, Doppler sonography yielded no false positive findings, but false positive results may be possible in mild stenoses.