Neurologic Complications After Cardiac Surgery: Stroke, Delirium, Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction, and Peripheral Neuropathy

Neurologic complications including delirium, acute confusion, and stroke remain one of the most feared complications after cardiac surgery, and are associated with longer hospital stays, a higher risk of discharge to long-term care facilities, and higher risk of multiple morbidities and death during the index hospital stay and after discharge. This chapter will discuss neurologic complications in the post-cardiac surgical population across the following categories: Stroke, Delirium and other Neuropsychiatric Encephalopathies, Peripheral Neuropathies.