CEREBRAL MANIFESTATIONS OF CARDIAC DISEAS ES

Vulnerability of brain tissue against ischemia limits the success of c ardiopulmonary resuscitation. Promising therapeutic results in animal studies are not accompanied by conclusive clinical concepts of success full cerebral resuscitation. Zwenty-five% of ischemic strokes are due to cardiogenic embolism. In the elderly atrial fibrillation is the mos t common source of cardiogenic embolism. After embolic stroke the use of early anticoagulation with heparin is not definitely proven, but th e risk of parenchymatous hemorrhage is lower than it was feared earlie r. An American study suggests a possible role for less intense oral pr ophylactic anticoagulation with coumarins. There is a frequent associa tion between central nervous system symptoms and infective endocarditi s.