Restenosis or occlusion after carotid endarterectomy: a survey with ocular pneumoplethysmography.

One hundred seventy-three carotid endarterectomies in 141 patients operated on during a 12-year period were surveyed both clinically and by ocular pneumoplethysmography (OPG)-Gee. Seventeen (12%) patients had positive OPG examinations. Three arteries (1.7%) demonstrated symptomatic recurrent stenosis in accord with earlier reports. An additional 8.1% of the operated arteries had asymptomatic recurrent stenosis. A total recurrence rate of 9.8% was found. Because of the considerable silent recurrence rate we have found, we recommend annual screening by OPG. Angiography and repeated endarterectomy are then used when appropriate.