Joint study of extracranial arterial occlusion. V. Progress report of prognosis following surgery or nonsurgical treatment for transient cerebral ischemic attacks and cervical carotid artery lesions

A series of 316 patients with transient cerebral ischemic attacks and no neurological deficit were randomly allocated to surgical or nonsurgical treatment categories in a controlled manner. The total group was divided by anatomical patterns of lesions (carotid stenosis, unilaterally; carotid stenosis, bilaterally; and unilateral occlusion with opposite stenosis). During an average 42-month follow-up, distinct differences in outcome were noted in specific subgroups in the frequency and pattern of transient attacks and in the occurrence and location of cerebral infarction.