Asaccadia and ataxia after repair of ascending aortic aneurysm.

Absent saccades is a rare complication of cardiovascular procedures. We present a patient who developed absent volitional saccades and reflex fast eye movements, low gain pursuit, and intact oculocephalic slow phases, dysphagia, dysarthria and progressive gait instability following repair of an ascending aortic aneurysm. Postulated pathophysiologies and prognosis for this syndrome are discussed.