Risks of stroke from general surgical procedures in stroke patients.
Neurologists often assess the risk of stroke from general surgical procedures in patients who have cerebrovascular disease. Common questions for neurologists include: Should a symptomatic or an asymptomatic carotid stenosis be revascularized before general surgery? What is the risk of surgery in patients who have stenoses in the cervicocephalic vasculature? What is the risk of recurrent stroke in patients who have a history of stroke requiring surgery? Can antithrombotic therapy be interrupted for surgery? and How soon after a stroke may elective surgeries be performed? Although definite answers to these questions are lacking, available clinical evidence and knowledge of cerebrovascular pathophysiology can help inform recommendations.
Bernstein
Richard A
RA
Stroke Program, Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. r-bernstein@northwestern.edu
D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*