Long-term follow-up of asymptomatic carotid bruits

Abstract 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 percent of the patients transient ischemic attacks developed and in 19 percent, strokes. Symptoms that developed in more than half of the patients did so within 2 years and 90 percent 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 percent of the patients during the follow-up period, and 90 percent of the deaths were due to cardiac problems or stroke.