Atraumatic ischaemic myelopathy

Significant and permanent neurological deficit due to ischaemic myelopathy continues to occur in 5-10 per cent of patients following surgery on the thoracic aorta for aneurysms, coarctation and lacerations, and following corrective surgery for scoliosis. Clinical features, patterns of neurological deficit, management and outcome in 29 patients with atraumatic ischaemic myelopathy following surgery on the aorta, aortocoronary bypass and cardiogenic shock, will be presented. Pertinent literature on the subject will also be reviewed.