Surgically treatable lesions of the extracranial circulation, including the vertebral artery.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the United States, and 50 per cent of sources arise in the extracranial carotid arteries. Well-performed vascular surgery provides a low-risk approach in preventing this devastating event if these sources can be identified before the stroke occurs. An awareness of the patient at risk, an appreciation of the type and location of the causative lesions, and a timely diagnosis offer the best chance for success.