Peri-Cardiac Catheterisation Stroke: It’s Not Common, But It’s A Double Whammy!

Ischemic stroke during or just after cardiac catheterisation is rare but catastrophic to the patient when it happens. The incidence is low, in the range of 0.08 to 0.4%. Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, increased age, prior stroke and renal impairment. The type of catheter used, catheter manipulation technique, emergency procedures and use of intra-aortic balloon pumps are some predictors of this complication. We report a case of a 57 year old lady with acute myocardial infarction who developed stroke on the cardiac catheterisation table. The case illustrates the need for a protocol of care, vigilant cardiologist and staff that can recognise the symptoms and signs as well as good collaborative efforts between the cardiology, neurology and at times, the interventional radiology teams.