Indication for surgery of asymptomatic carotid lesions

The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases with transient or persistent neurologic dysfunction has increased significantly. Although patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis clearly benefit from operative therapy, the indication to prophylactic surgery of asymptomatic carotid lesions however is still controversial. Based on data from a recently completed prospective randomized study and on analysis of the literature the indication and results of surgical treatment of asymptomatic stenoses of the carotid arteries are discussed. From 1970 to 1990 a total of 744 uni-or bilateral reconstructions of the internal carotid artery were performed in 631 patients. The perioperative morbidity (permanent neurologic deficiency) and mortality was 1.1% (n = 8) resp. 0.8% (n = 6). During the follow up period up to 18 years another 9 patients suffered from stroke (1.2%). The annual stroke incidence amounted to 0.2%. An important prerequisite for surgery is the so called critical internal carotid artery stenosis, implying reduced cerebral vasomotor reactivity or high embolic risk of an ulcerative plaque. Proper selection of patients (exclusion of multiple concomitant diseases) and an experienced team of vascular surgeons with operative morbidity and mortality below 1-2% validates surgical treatment of asymptomatic carotid artery stenoses.