Based on the outcomes of surgical management of thirty-six patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis of carotid arteries and a further thirty-five 35 patients presenting with atherosclerotic lesions of the subclavian and vertebral arteries the authors substantiated a differentiated therapeutic policy aimed at protecting the brain from ischaemia, having demonstrated efficiency of cerebral protection with nimodipine and rheopolyglukin in patients subjected to operations on the subclavian and vertebral arteries and feasibility of combining this method with the application of a temporary puncture carotid-artery bypass graft during carotid endarterectomy. Functional possibilities of puncture-mediated bypass grafting of the carotid artery was confirmed by studying the blood flow in the common, internal carotid and median cerebral arteries on the operated side and ipsilateral side in patients with and without a bypass graft applied.