Postoperative stroke assessment inconsistencies in cardiac surgery: Contributors to higher stroke-related mortality?

OBJECTIVES:In-hospital stroke mortality is surprisingly much worse than for strokes occurring outside of the hospital. Cardiac surgery patients are amongst the highest risk groups for in-hospital stroke and experience high stroke-related mortality. Variability in institutional practices appears to play an important role in the diagnosis, management, and outcome of postoperative stroke. We therefore tested the hypothesis that variability in postoperative stroke management of cardiac surgical patients exists across institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A 13 item survey was employed to determine postoperative stroke practice patterns for cardiac surgical patients across 45 academic institutions. RESULTS:Less than half (44%) reported any formal clinical effort to preoperatively identify patients at high risk for postoperative stroke. Epiaortic ultrasonography for the detection of aortic atheroma, a proven preventative measure, was routinely practiced in only 16% of institutions. Forty-four percent (44%) reported not knowing whether a validated stroke assessment tool was utilized for the detection of postoperative stroke, and 20% reported that validated tools were not routinely used. All responders, however, confirmed the availability of stroke intervention teams. CONCLUSIONS:Adoption of a best practices approach to the management of postoperative stroke is highly variable and may improve outcomes in postoperative stroke after cardiac surgery.