title: The cerebro-vascular problem in coronary by-pass surgery.
abstract: In 99 of 2250 consecutive C.B.P. cases, signs of cerebro-vascular disease (C.V.D.) were recorded in 87 (3.9%) on admission and in 12 post-operatively. The detection of C.V.D. by auscultation alone is very incomplete. There were 17 post-C.B.P. neurologic deficits (P.O.N.D.) (0.75%): 15 strokes (0.67%) and 2 T.I.A.'s. 26 patients (out of 87 detected on admission) were treated by carotid endarterectomy (C.E.) either pre-by-pass or simultaneously. There were no complications. The remaining 61 patients, who were not treated, had 4 strokes and 1 T.I.A. after their C.B.P. The most probable cause of these deficits was pre-existing C.V.D. Could more extensive pre-operative investigation, and treating the serious lesions by C.E., improve the P.O.N.D. incidence? The published series on simultaneous C.E. + C.B.P. are not yet conclusive. We favour C.E. done before the C.P.B. procedure except in very serious coronary disease when simultaneous operation is preferred.
authors.affiliation: Afdeling Cardio-vasculaire en Thoracale Heelkunde en Anesthesie-Reanimatie, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Middelheim, O.C.M.W., Antwerpen.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Cauwelaert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muylaert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tombeur
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alleman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fornhoff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004691:Endarterectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors