Intraarterial mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of postoperative cerebral infarction: a case report

Predictors and clinical outcomes of post-coronary artery bypass grafting cerebrovascular strokes

Background

Despite the improved medical and surgical managements, still there is a significant risk of developing acute cerebrovascular strokes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our objectives were to study the immediate and long-term outcomes after CABG and to identify the possible predictors of post-CABG strokes.

Results

Between January 2016 and August 2020, 410 adult patients, mostly males (82.2%), were retrospectively enrolled after CABG. Acute postoperative strokes occurred in 31 (7.5%) patients; of them, 30 (96.8%) patients had ischemic stroke, while 1 (3.2%) had hemorrhagic stroke. Mechanical thrombectomy was done in two cases. The patients who developed acute cerebral stroke had significantly higher admission (p = 0.02) and follow-up (p < 0.001) SOFA scores, higher arterial blood lactate level (p < 0.001), longer hospitalization (p < 0.001) and more hospital mortality (p < 0.001) compared with the patients who did not develop stroke. Kaplan–Meier curves for 5-year mortality showed increased risk in those patients with postoperative stroke (HR: 23.03; 95% CI: 6.10–86.92, p < 0.001). After multivariate regression, the predictors of early postoperative stroke were carotid artery stenosis (CAS), postoperative atrial fibrillation, cardiopulmonary bypass time, prior cerebral stroke, admission SOFA score and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The predictors of late cerebrovascular stroke were CAS, combined CABG and valve surgery, CKD, atrial fibrillation, prior stroke and HbA1c.

Conclusions

The development of post-CABG acute cerebrovascular stroke is associated with longer hospitalization, multiple morbidities and increased mortality. Careful assessment and management of risk factors especially atrial fibrillation and carotid artery stenosis should be implemented to decrease this substantial complication after CABG.

Mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke following pulmonary lobectomy

Acute ischaemic stroke is a devastating postoperative complication that significantly impacts upon a patient's quality of life. Endovascular retrieval of thromboembolic material from proximal cerebral arteries by mechanical thrombectomy is the new standard of care for patients presenting with a proximal artery occlusion. We report the case of a patient developing an acute ischaemic stroke following pulmonary lobectomy, who was transferred to the regional neurosciences unit, despite the absence of an established referral pathway, to undergo mechanical thrombectomy, with significant prognostic neurological benefit. We would advocate all cardiothoracic centres identify their regional neurosciences unit and initiate discussion to establish a referral pathway.