Stroke During Beating Heart Bypass Surgery

A stroke happens when blood and oxygen can't get to part of your brain, causing tissue death. Depending on the severity of a stroke during beating heart bypass surgery, you could have serious complications, such as speech difficulties. Tell your doctor if you have ever had symptoms of a stroke or have had a stroke. A stroke during beating heart bypass surgery is potentially fatal.

 

Stroke During Beating Heart Bypass Surgery: An Overview

 Strokes are a possible complication of beating heart bypass surgery. A stroke can be caused by a blocked artery in your brain. The blockage -- which may be a blood clot, a piece of a fatty deposit called "plaque," or something else -- stops blood and oxygen from getting to part of your brain. This causes a part of the brain tissue to die.
 
A stroke can change your body in different ways. For example, you might have problems with moving or speaking. Sometimes, a stroke can be fatal. The treatment for a stroke will depend on where it happened and how serious it was.
 
Some people are more likely to have a stroke than others, so talk to your doctor if you have ever had stroke symptoms or have been told that you had a stroke in the past. If there is a problem or increased risk for a stroke during beating heart bypass surgery, your healthcare provider can explain what is best for your situation.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD