Hyperperfusion syndrome following balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery of aortic arch vessels: a report of 3 cases.

Hyperperfusion syndrome is a rare complication following revascularization for severe cerebrovascular occlusive disease. We report 2 cases with milder manifestations of this syndrome in the form of unilateral headache following balloon angioplasty of brachiocephalic arteries, and 1 case with massive cerebral hemorrhage after aorto-carotid bypass surgery. The mechanism of autoregulation of cerebral blood flow and the pathophysiology of cerebral hyperperfusion are discussed. The importance of recognizing this phenomenon and possible means of preventing its occurrence are emphasized.