Post-operative cerebral infarction and Takayasu's disease.

A case of post-operative cerebral infarction is presented in a 53-year-old man, in whom a clinical diagnosis of Takayasu's disease was made retrospectively. The cerebral infarction occurred in the absence of any identifiable surgical or anaesthetic cause. The possible role of sodium nitroprusside in preventing cerebrovascular accidents in this condition is discussed and the literature reviewed.