31 Jul 2023 • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) typically follows infections, but it can also occur after cardiac surgery. This case report describes a rare occurrence of GBS following cardiac catheterization in an 85-year-old man.

He initially underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for a heart condition and later received transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis. Five days after the TAVI procedure, he developed symmetrical muscular weakness in his extremities. Several diagnostic tests, including nerve conduction study and cerebrospinal fluid examination, led to the diagnosis of GBS triggered by the cardiac catheterizations.

The patient received high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and his motor strength gradually improved. After seven months of rehabilitation, he was discharged with full motor strength.

The learning objective from this case is that cardiac catheterization procedures like PCI and TAVI, which are relatively less invasive than cardiac surgery, may also pose a potential risk for GBS occurrence. Therefore, if a patient experiences progressive, symmetrical neurological symptoms after cardiac catheterization, GBS should be considered as a possible cause, and nerve conduction study and cerebrospinal fluid examination can be helpful for diagnosis.

Source: Journal of Cardiology Cases | Read full story