Over the past 50 years, the number and invasiveness of percutaneous cardiovascular
procedures globally have increased substantially. However, cardiovascular interventions
are inherently associated with a risk of acute brain injury, both periprocedurally
and postprocedurally, which impairs medical outcomes and increases health-care costs.
Current international clinical guidelines generally do not cover the area of acute
brain injury related to cardiovascular invasive procedures. In this international
Consensus Statement, we compile the available knowledge (including data on prevalence,
pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation and management) to formulate
consensus recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute brain
injury caused by cardiovascular interventions. We also identify knowledge gaps and
possible future directions in clinical research into acute brain injury related to
cardiovascular interventions.
