Cerebrovascular syndromes following cardiac transplantation.

Between 1985 and 1990, there were 275 orthotopic cardiac transplantations performed on 263 patients. To determine the frequency and define the clinical spectrum of cerebrovascular disease among these patients, we followed them over an average period of 18.5 months (range, 1 to 59 months). Cerebrovascular disorders developed in 24 of 263 patients. We established and classified stroke etiology directly related to transplant procedures or therapies in 13 cases. Nine of 11 cases not directly attributable to transplantation had presumed thromboembolic ischemic events. While stroke most commonly results from conditions unique to heart transplant patients, some disorders may develop from vascular conditions that antedate transplantation.