Neurologic Complications of Heart Surgery

All surgery and interventional (e.g., catheterization lab) procedures have intrinsic morbidity risk generally well known to physicians. Directly, the act of entering the vasculature, heart, or other tissues can lead to the formation and release of blood clots and other immediate consequences. These in turn can precipitate a range of complications such as stroke, paraplegia, peripheral nerve dysfunction, vision problems, paralysis, hoarseness, movement disorders and disturbances in learning, memory, attention, concentration, and mental agility.

The updated review article includes a section on aortic surgeries, such as aortic valve replacements (complications of aortic surgery include stroke, paraplegia and peripheral nerve dysfunction). The revised article also includes new sections on surgery to remove atrial myxomas (heart tumors) and surgery to close patent foramen ovale (PFO). The review was published on July 24, 2009, in the online journal MedLink Neurology.

"In cardiac surgery, there's always a risk of neurologic complications, especially in older patients who have other health problems,” said coauthor Jose Biller, M.D., chairman of the neurology department at Loyola. "Patients should not be afraid to undergo cardiac procedures. Many complications are rare. And despite the risks, cardiac surgeries generally are highly beneficial and life saving.”

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