Controlled hypothermia in carotid endarterectomy.

Successful carotid endarterectomy under controlled hypothermia, induced by shell cooling, is described. The patient, whose ipsilateral vertebral and contralateral internal carotid arteries were obstructed, and whose contralateral external carotid artery was stenosed, had presented with recurrent TIA's and amaurosis fugax. Some observations on the indication for and technique of hypothermia are made.