Intracranial Atherosclerosis Increases the Risk of Postoperative Stroke After Cardiac Surgery: A Review and Meta-Analysis

Postoperative stroke is a devastating complication of cardiac surgery with high morbidity, mortality, and health care cost. Extracranial carotid atherosclerosis (ECAS) is a known risk factor for stroke; however, the impact of intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) remains unclear. To our knowledge, this is the first literature review of ICAS in cardiac surgery. We aimed to assess the prevalence, association with postoperative stroke, and perioperative management of ICAS in cardiac surgery.
Source: Heart, Lung and Circulation - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research