Outcome of asymptomatic cervical bruits in a veteran population

The potential risk of stroke in patients with a localized asymptomatic cervical bruit continues to be a source of debate. We identified 273 patients with 374 asymptomatic mid-cervical bruits. Using Doppler with spectral analysis, the internal carotid artery (ICA) was stratified into one of three groups; greater than or less than 75% cross section area stenosis, or occlusion. Each carotid artery was evaluated for progression of stenosis and occurrence of neurologic events (TIA's and strokes). During an average follow-up of 29.6 months, 26 neurologic events (10 strokes, 16 TIA's) occurred ipsilateral to the carotid bruits. Most asymptomatic bruits (308/374; 82%) were associated with carotid arteries having less than 75% stenosis and the risk of stroke from those arteries remaining at < 75% stenosis (254/308) was 1.5%. However, progression to greater than 75% stenosis or occlusion as determined at the most recent noninvasive examination (54/308) was associated with a significant risk for stroke (7.4%; p < 0.001). Progression to occlusion in the total population was highly significant for the risk of developing stroke (4 out of 19; p < 0.001).