[Incidence, clinical picture, treatment and sequelae of the stenotic-occlusive process in the carotid artery. II. Analysis of therapy and follow-up of patients with stenotic-occlusive process in the carotid artery].

We have examined the results of treating 259 patients with stenotic-occlusive process in the extracranial part of the carotid artery in the period of 15 years. We have compared the results achieved in the group treated non-surgically with those of the surgically treated group, with the following criteria in mind: survival, severity of persistent neurological findings and working ability. According to the analysis, if compared to the surgically treated group of patients, in those medically treated was registered a much higher rate of mortality in the period of hospital treatment and in the first six months following thereafter. The estimation of persistent neurological findings, performed 6 months after discharge from hospital, showed an improvement in 41% of non-surgically treated and 72% of surgically treated patients. At the same time, as far as working ability is concerned, 27% of the medically treated patients returned to work, and 44% of those surgically treated.