Cerebrovascular events after cardiovascular surgery: diagnosis, management and prevention strategies

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular events after cardiac surgery are among the most serious complications, related to a greater risk of patient mortality. This problem can occur following the formation of gas emboli during open heart surgery. AIM: To address all the mechanisms that can lead to embolic events after cardiovascular surgery, how to manage them and how to possibly prevent them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A search of the PubMed database was conducted. We reviewed the clinical literature and examined all aspects to identify the root causes that can lead to the formation of emboli. RESULTS: Among the studies reviewed, it was found that the main causes include manipulation of the aorta, inadequate deaeration after cardiac surgery, and blood-component contact of extracorporeal circulation. It has been reported that gas emboli can lead to deleterious damage such as damage to the cerebral vascular endothelium, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, complement activation, leukocyte aggregation, increased platelet adhesion, and fibrin deposition in the microvascular system. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke after cardiovascular surgery is one of the most important complications, with a great impact on operative mortality and patient survival. Efforts have been made over time to understand all the pathophysiological mechanisms related to this complication, with the aim of reducing its incidence. One of the goals should be to improve both the surgical technique and the perfusion modality and minimize the formation of air bubbles or to facilitate their elimination during the cardiopulmonary bypass procedure.