[Late results following carotid endarterectomy]

186 carotid endarterectomies (142 patients) were performed under regional anaesthesia between 1976 and 1983: 32% in asymptomatic stage, 36% in TIA, 4% in frank stroke, 28% in completed stroke. Postoperative mortality was 3.8%, neurologic deficit following endarterectomy 4% (2% transient, 2% permanent). Patients were followed-up six months to seven years after the operation: The incidence of late stroke amounted to 7% (11% in TIA-patients, 5% in patients with completed stroke before endarterectomy). 24% of the operated patients died during the follow-up period, 46% because of myocardial infarction or heart failure, 14% because of stroke. Recurrent stenosis occurred in 6% (indirect Doppler-sonogramm), two patients (3%) with symptomatic recurrent stenosis underwent reoperation.