Mechanism of in-hospital cerebral ischemia.

Of 171 patients evaluated prospectively and consecutively for cerebral ischemia, 26 (15%) developed symptoms while hospitalized. Cerebral ischemia complicated operative procedures in 12 patients, unsuccessful cardioversion in one and coronary angiography in another. Twelve patients had apparent cerebral embolism and 14 patients had cerebral thrombosis as a mechanism of their symptoms. Hospitalized patients who suffered cerebral ischemia had one or more of the following: risk factors for stroke including cardiac source of embolus, previous stroke, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures for vascular disease, or chronic hypertension complicated by acute hypotension.