Abstract
Cerebral infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a serious complication and a problem that remains unsolved. We will report the onset of cerebral infarction in CABG patients in our institution, and its cause, preventive method. The subjects of this research were 761 patients who underwent on-pump isolated CABG. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors, onset of cerebral infarction and atrial fibrillation were investigated. Postoperative cerebral infarction and postoperative atrial fibrillation were recognized in 1.4% and 24% of the patients, respectively. The risk factors for cerebral infarction were carotid artery stenosis, cardiopulmonary bypass time >180 min, postoperative atrial fibrillation, and β-blocker non-use. The risk factors for postoperative atrial fibrillation were 75 or higher years of age, chronic kidney diseases, emergency surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass time >180 min, intraoperative carperitide non-use, intraoperative landiolol hydrochloride non-use, preoperative angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) non-use, preoperative calcium antagonist use, preoperative statin use, postoperative β-blocker non-use, and postoperative aldosterone blocker non-use. The results of this study showed that cerebral infarction occurs frequently in patients who have developed atrial fibrillation, and it was considered that perioperative cerebral infarction can be prevented by perioperative β-blocker, carperitide, anticoagulation therapy and adequate extracorporeal circulation. Since preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative drug use is closely involved in the risk factor for postoperative atrial fibrillation, it was considered possible that adequate perioperative drug therapy can prevent atrial fibrillation and onset of cerebral infarction. (This article is a secondary publication of J Jpn Coron Assoc 2014; 20: 91–7.)