Perioperative management
All patients underwent surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. Near
infrared spectrometry is used selectively: in patients undergoing major
surgeries and patients known to have carotid atherosclerosis to guide
intraoperative management. Epi-aortic ultrasound is not available at our
centre for assessing the ascending aorta prior to aortic instrumentation
and cannulation. Patients confirmed to have suffered a stroke were
discussed with our local stroke physicians for ongoing management
advice.