Cerebrovascular complications of cardiovascular interventions coronary artery bypass graft procedures

Coronary artery bypass surgery is a common surgical procedure. The objective of this article is to discuss the cerebrovascular complications of this surgery. Coronary artery bypass surgery can cause brain injury, typically from emboli or brain hypoperfusion. Ischemic strokes do occur after coronary artery bypass surgery. Techniques have been developed to lessen the chance of brain infarction, including performing the surgery without the use of a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. Neuropsychologic decline can also occur after surgery and is discussed. The clinical presentations of brain infarcts are discussed as well as the evaluation and treatment of these patients.