Cerebral ischemia: a complication in heart catheterization. An assessment in 2178 catheterizations
Méndez Domínguez, A.; Aguilera, R.; Martínez Ríos, M.A.
Archivos del Instituto de Cardiologia de Mexico 63(3): 247-251
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-3785 PMID: 8347055 Document Number: 410580
Cardiac catheterization is highly recognized as the more definitive test in several cardiac diseases. However it has a small but definite risk. Cerebral ischemia is an unusual complication of this procedure; the main recognized physiopathological mechanism is thromboembolism. We present the analysis of 7 cases observed in 2178 consecutive cardiac catheterizations. In all cases the neurological dysfunction developed during the procedure or in the few minutes after it. One patient had a complete cerebral infarct. All cases of cerebral infarct were confirmed with computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. The clinical profile supported an embolic mechanism. The early recognition and management of this complication can influence the prognosis of these patients and therefore emphasize the importance of the monitoring of the neurological function in the hemodynamic department.