Innominate artery endarterectomy. A 16-year experience.

Transsternal endarterectomy was performed in 34 of 37 patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis of the innominate artery, with a mortality of 6%. Thirty of the 32 survivors are asymptomatic at an average of 6.1 years postoperatively. Six of these patients who had ulcerated, nonstenotic atherosclerotic lesions have had complete cessation of preoperative transient ischemic attacks. Normal arterial patency has been maintained for follow-up periods varying from seven months to 16 years.