Cooper D M, Bazaral M G, Furlan A J, Sevilla E, Ghattas M A, Sheeler L R, Little J R, Hahn J F, Sheldon W C, Loop F D
Ann Thorac Surg. 1986 May;41(5):547-50. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)63039-1.
Pituitary apoplexy occurred in 3 patients in the immediate postoperative period following cardiac operation with cardiopulmonary bypass. In this setting, this complication is extremely rare and not widely recognized. Precipitating factors may be related to the extracorporeal bypass apparatus, anticoagulation, low cerebral blood flow, and even anesthetic agents. Neurosurgical decompression can be safely performed in the early postoperative period following open-heart operations.
