Carotid surgery in stroke prevention.

Extracranial carotid disease accounts for up to 50 percent of strokes. Transient ischemic attacks are associated with a 30 to 35 percent risk of stroke within five years of the initial episode. Carotid endarterectomy is a safe and effective way of reducing the risk of stroke in patients with TIAs. It is also helpful in patients with amaurosis fugax, and may benefit selected patients with acute stroke or those with asymptomatic but hemodynamically significant stenosis.