Diabetes and cerebrovascular disease

Diabetes has significant implications for cardiac surgery. It is not only a major risk factor for coronary heart disease but also increases the risk for cerebrovascular complications during heart surgery. Surgical technique is pivotal for the outcome. "Offpump" surgery carries a lower risk for stroke than conventional heart surgery. When a stroke happens, diabetes plays also a major role for the final outcome. Initial blood glucose levels during a stroke and final outcome are highly correlated. Consequently, patients with ischemic stroke after cardiac surgery should be treated according to the current criteria for stroke treatment. This includes strict monitoring of blood glucose level and avoidance of hypo- as well as hyperglycemia.