BACKGROUND: Postoperative cerebral embolism after left upper lobectomy caused by a thrombus in the pulmonary vein stump (PVS) is a serious complication. However, it is unclear whether cerebral embolism can develop after other types of lobectomy. We present 2 cases of revascularization for in-hospital acute ischemic stroke after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). CASE DESCRIPTION: Patient 1 is a 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and dyslipidemia. VATS was performed for lung cancer in the left upper lobe. On day 0 after VATS, he developed an acute ischemic stroke (left M3 occlusion). Revascularization was performed, and TICI 2b was obtained. He was transferred to a recovery rehabilitation hospital with a modified Rankin Scale score of 3. No ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was observed 12 months postoperatively. Patient 2 is a 76-year-old man who had a history of hypertension. VATS was performed for metastatic lung cancer in the left lower lobe. On day 6 after VATS, he developed an acute ischemic stroke (left M1 occlusion). Revascularization was performed and TICI 3 was obtained. He was transferred to a recovery rehabilitation hospital with a modified Rankin Scale score of 1. No ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was observed 13 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative PVS thrombosis causes embolisms, and dabigatran has been effective in preventing postoperative recurrences. Further study of preventive and perioperative management is necessary.
BACKGROUND:Postoperative cerebral embolism after left upper lobectomy caused by a thrombus in the pulmonary vein stump (PVS) is a serious complication. However, it is unclear whether cerebral embolism can develop after other types of lobectomy. We present 2 cases of revascularization for in-hospital acute ischemic stroke after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). CASE DESCRIPTION: Patient 1 is a 71-year-old man with a history of hypertension and dyslipidemia. VATS was performed for lung cancer in the left upper lobe. On day 0 after VATS, he developed an acute ischemic stroke (left M3 occlusion). Revascularization was performed, and TICI 2b was obtained. He was transferred to a recovery rehabilitation hospital with a modified Rankin Scale score of 3. No ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was observed 12 months postoperatively. Patient 2 is a 76-year-old man who had a history of hypertension. VATS was performed for metastatic lung cancer in the left lower lobe. On day 6 after VATS, he developed an acute ischemic stroke (left M1 occlusion). Revascularization was performed and TICI 3 was obtained. He was transferred to a recovery rehabilitation hospital with a modified Rankin Scale score of 1. No ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke was observed 13 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative PVS thrombosis causes embolisms, and dabigatran has been effective in preventing postoperative recurrences. Further study of preventive and perioperative management is necessary.