Results from 88 consecutive prophylactic carotid endarterectomies in cerebral infarction and transitory ischemic attacks.

Thirty-two patients with transitory ischemic attacks (TIA), 55 with cerebral infarction (minor stroke) and one with a disturbing bruise underwent carotid endarterectomy during a 4 year period. Within the first 2 weeks postoperatively, 10 patients (11%) had developed new neurological symptoms from the operated side. Two patients died postoperatively due to major stroke and 2 patients developed persistent neurological deficits, yielding a total operative mortality and permanent morbidity rate of 4.5%. In the other 6 patients, the neurological signs and symptoms disappeared completely within one month. During a follow-up for an average of 21 months, the only symptoms from the operated side were TIA in 2 patients, while 3 patients developed TIA and 5 infarctions from other vascular territories.