Long-term follow-up of asymptomatic carotid bruits.

Ninety-seven patients with asymptomatic carotid bruits were followed up 5 to 13 years or until the occurrence of transient ischemic attacks, stroke or death. In 11% of the patients transient ischemic attacks developed and in 19%, strokes. Symptoms that developed in more than half of the patients did so within 2 years and 90% within 6 years of detection of the bruit. Seventeen of 18 strokes occurred without antecedent transient ischemic attacks. Fifty-three of the patients underwent 94 major noncarotid operations with no postoperative strokes. Death occurred in 37% of the patients during the follow-up period, and 90% of the deaths were due to cardiac problems or stroke.