title: Stroke in coronary bypass surgery.
abstract: A retrospective review of 253 patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery was performed. Eight (3.2%) had suffered a stroke either intra-operatively (4) or during the early post-operative period (4). A comparison of pre-operative and intra-operative variables between the stroke group and the stroke-free group showed a significant difference only for the hemoglobin level (p less than 0.01). All intraoperative strokes occurred in patients who had undergone femoral cannulation; it is suggested that this may have been a source of embolic material in these patients. An embolic origin for most of the strokes (both intra-operative and post-operative) is postulated on the basis of clinical and pathological findings.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications