Incidence and predictors of stroke associated with percutaneous coronary intervention

Stroke is a serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clinical characteristics associated with this complication have not been well defined. Data were analyzed from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. All patients undergoing PCI from January 1, 2004, to March 30, 2007, were included in the analysis (n = 706,782). Stroke is defined in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry as a central neurologic deficit persisting >72 hours with onset starting anytime in the cardiac catheterization laboratory until the time of hospital discharge. Periprocedural stroke developed in 0.22% of patients (n = 1,540). Patients who developed a stroke had a greater prevalence of concomitant medical illnesses and were more likely to present with an acute coronary syndrome. Patients with a stroke had a greater percentage of high-risk coronary lesions and worse PCI angiographic results. In multivariable analysis, known cerebrovascular disease, older age, acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina, ST- and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction), and use of an intra-aortic balloon pump were factors most strongly associated with stroke. In-hospital mortality was 30% for patients who developed a stroke compared with 1% for those without stroke. In conclusion, stroke developing in association with PCI is rare but a devastating complication. Older patients and those with known cerebrovascular disease and acute coronary syndromes appear to be at the highest risk of stroke. The strong association of in-hospital stroke after PCI with acute coronary syndromes is noteworthy.