POSTERIOR CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENTS AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Abstract

Percutaneous Coronary Interventional procedures (PCIs) are recognised as gold standard treatment for h igh risks patients with diffuse coronary atherosclerosi s. Neurologic complications are one of the most dre aded procedural outcomes, stroke after PCI affects mainl y elderly and high-risk patients (age more than 80 years and use of intra-aortic balloon pump), with longer times of the procedure and angiographic complicatio ns, such as dissection, abrupt closure and no reflow. W e report two consecutive cases of posterior CVAs af ter percutaneous coronary procedures involving the ponto-mesencephalon and the cerebellum. Especially when risk factors are present, careful attention should be devoted to the preparation of the patient and to minimize catheter manipulation and exchanges.