title: Stroke complicating cardiac catheterization--a preventable and treatable complication.
abstract: Stroke is a rare but serious complication of cardiac catheterization. Due to the low incidence of stroke complicating catheterization of the left heart, there is no clearly defined optimal treatment. With increasing numbers of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures being performed, definitive management pathways for periprocedural neurological complications need to be defined. Many studies have shown excellent results with both thrombolytic and catheter-based neurovascular rescue, but equal attention should be paid to identify measures to prevent this iatrogenic complication. It is also imperative that management decisions be taken jointly by the cardiologist and stroke physician. We review the literature regarding the features of ischemic stroke complicating cardiac catheterization, the various management modalities and suggest a management protocol.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Group, Aintree Cardiac Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sankaranarayanan
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Msairi
authors.forename: Gershan K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015996:Survival Rate; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed