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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Double Direct Injection of Blood into the Cisterna Magna as a Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
10:34

Double Direct Injection of Blood into the Cisterna Magna as a Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Published on: August 30, 2020

[Subdural hematoma following cardiac surgery]

K Oka1, T Kamota, M Satou

  • 1Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan.

Kyobu Geka. the Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery
|September 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Subdural hematomas can occur after open heart surgery due to cardiopulmonary bypass. Early neurological monitoring is crucial for high-risk patients on anticoagulation therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a rare but serious complication following open heart surgery.
  • Patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass are at increased risk due to anticoagulation and potential hemodynamic changes.

Observation:

  • Three cases of SDH post-cardiac surgery are presented.
  • Patients had no history of head trauma but were on anticoagulation therapy.
  • SDH may result from rapid cerebral volume shifts during cardiopulmonary bypass, causing bridging vein tears.

Findings:

  • Two patients underwent surgical evacuation and drainage of SDH.
  • One patient was managed conservatively.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital but challenging due to post-operative neurological assessment difficulties.

Implications:

  • Consider SDH in patients with neurological changes after cardiac surgery, especially those on anticoagulation.
  • Regular neurological monitoring is recommended for sedated, anticoagulated patients post-cardiac surgery.
  • This highlights the importance of multidisciplinary neurosurgical and cardiac care coordination.

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