Neurological complications during myocardial revascularization using warm-body, cold-heart surgery

Does the use of warm-body perfusion in elderly patients with severe cerebrovascular disease lead to a higher incidence of stroke, due to hypotension secondary to low systemic vascular resistance? Two thousand, three hundred eighty-three (2,383) consecutive myocardial revascularizations were performed (1987-1992) using warm-body (perfusion 37 degrees C), cold-heart surgery (cold cardioplegic arrest). The perfusion pressure was maintained between 50-70 torr; hematocrit was kept around 20%. Prospective data during hospitalization revealed 23 operative deaths (1%), and 24 patients (1%) who developed new neurological signs after surgery. The latter formed three groups: Group I consisted of six patients with severe neurological deficits, who never regained consciousness and died after support systems withdrawal. Group II included 14 patients with postoperative clinical evidence of focal cerebral infarction (9 had hemiplegia, 2 had visual disturbance, and 3 showed alteration of memory), all of whom had residual defects at discharge; Group III was composed of four patients with minor neurological deficits after surgery (hemiparesis, gait disturbance, mental changes) which had cleared up by discharge. These data were compared retrospectively with 1605 patients (1980-1986) undergoing myocardial revascularization with moderate (25-30 degrees C) hypothermia and the same surgical team and operative techniques. Both groups had similar preoperative demographics except the warm group included more elderly patients, higher numbers with unstable angina and poor ejection fraction, and more frequent use of a mammary artery conduit. Neurological complications were 1% and 1.3% for the normothermic and hypothermic perfusion groups respectively. Incremental risk factors of stroke remain: age over 70 years, diffuse atherosclerosis of the aorta, carotid occlusive disease, and severe hypotension during perfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)