Perioperative strokes after coronary artery bypass grafting with staged carotid endarterectomy: A nationwide perspective

Analysis of 2761 patients over a period of 12 years (1999-2011) indicate perioperative stroke to be a strong post-operative predicator of in-hospital mortality and morbidity for staged procedures. Other significant factors such as advancing age, female gender and comorbidities like CHF, left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and post-operative MI should also be considered when determining patient risk. Further investigative studies on staged CABG and CEA procedures are needed for better patient selection and for implementing preventative strategies such as neuroprotective medication and neuromonitoring to minimize the risk of ischemic strokes.