Related Experiment Videos
Cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with previously completed stroke
A C Beall1, J W Jones, G A Guinn
1Cora and Webb Mading Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|June 1, 1993
Summary
Patients with prior stroke and neurological deficits may not face higher risks for neurological complications during cardiac surgery. This retrospective study found low complication rates in such patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Patients with neurological deficits post-stroke are often considered at higher risk for complications during cardiac surgery.
- Cardiac operations requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) carry inherent neurological risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the actual risk of neurological complications in patients with prior completed stroke and neurological residua undergoing cardiac operations with CPB.
- To challenge the assumption of increased risk in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1,163 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac operations with CPB.
- Analysis of a subgroup of 43 patients with completed stroke and neurological residua, excluding those with significant carotid artery disease.
Main Results:
- Only 1 out of 43 patients (2.3%) experienced new neurological symptoms post-operation.
- The overall mortality in the subgroup was 1 death (2.3%) due to pulmonary embolism.
- Procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting and valve replacements.
Conclusions:
- The assumption that patients with prior stroke and neurological deficits are at increased risk for neurological complications during cardiac surgery requiring CPB may not be valid.
- These findings suggest that carefully selected patients with prior stroke can undergo cardiac operations with CPB with relatively low neurological complication rates.