Neurologic complications in noncardiac surgery

Abstract

In this article, the incidence of nervous system injuries associated with noncardiac surgery is reviewed briefly. In general, these can be divided into injuries that are clinically apparent (eg, stroke or peripheral nerve damage), which may generally be detectable on clinical examination, and more subtle forms of brain injury (eg, personality changes and postoperative cognitive dysfunction), injuries that are primarily detected by neuropsychological testing.