Acute posterior cerebral circulation syndrome accompanied by serious cardiac rhythm disturbances: a rare but reversible complication following bypass graft angiography.

Cerebral events are recognized, although infrequent, complications of cardiac catheterization. We report on an exceptional case of a posterior cerebral circulation syndrome comprising a confusional state, amnestic disturbances, aphasia, and cortical blindness, accompanied by life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia after left and right internal mammary artery graft angiography, with complete recovery over 5 days. The diagnostic potential of computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and SPECT imaging of the brain in diagnosing this rare but important complication is illustrated. The need for early continuous monitoring of patients with clinically important cerebrovascular events postangiography is emphasized. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:397-401, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.