Objective  To explore the values of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound classification and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes in the treatment of patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency vertigo.

  Methods  Totally 150 patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency vertigo at attack stage were divided into slow flow group, fast flow group and normal flow group according to the blood flow velocity by TCD examination. At the same time, TCM syndromes were classified and patients were divided into conventional treatment group, combined with TCD treatment group, TCD treatment combined with TCM syndrome treatment group.

  Results  Among 150 patients, there were 30 cases with type of hyperactivity of liver yang, 73 cases with type of deficiency of qi and blood, 16 cases with deficiency of kidney essence, 14 cases with type of obstruction of phlegm and dampness, and 17 cases with obstruction of orifices by blood stasis. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency vertigo was mainly characterized by hyperactivity of liver-yang and deficiency of qi and blood. There were significant differences in the distribution of TCM syndromes among the slow flow group, the fast flow group and the normal flow group (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the efficacy between conventional treatment group, combined with TCD treatment group, TCD treatment combined with TCM syndrome treatment group (P=0.001).

  Conclusion  Combination of TCD classification and TCM syndromes can improve the curative effect for patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency vertigo.