RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study examines the long term outcome of transcranial bypass in a single centre. METHODS: In a prospective study, symptoms and angiographic findings were recoded on a database for 229 consecutive transcranial bypass procedures performed in 204 patients between 1976 and 1983. One hundred and seventy-seven had carotid territory symptoms, and the predominant angiogram finding was internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. RESULTS: At 5 years 87% (86 patients) were free from stroke. At 20 years 83% (29 patients) were stroke free but by this time the majority had died from other cardiovascular causes and 35 were lost to follow up. CONCLUSION: Stroke is uncommon five or more years after transcranial bypass but overall survival is poor.
