Hearing loss after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Cardiology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Hearing loss (HL) is a rare complication following cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation (CSWEC).
• The incidence of HL after CSWEC is unknown due to lack of routine preoperative hearing tests.
• Perioperative HL may go unnoticed.

Observation:

• Four cases of profound sensorineural hearing loss after CSWEC for coronary artery bypass or cardiac valve surgery are presented.
• Hearing loss was noticed immediately upon waking in three patients and within the first postoperative week in the fourth.
• Audiological investigations suggested a cochlear etiology for the HL in all cases.

Findings:

• The study presents four cases of profound sensorineural hearing loss following CSWEC.
• Audiological evaluation indicated a cochlear cause for the hearing loss.
• Microembolism generated by atheromatous material is proposed as the most probable mechanism.

Implications:

• This study highlights a rare but significant complication of CSWEC.
• Understanding the mechanisms of HL post-CSWEC can inform preventative strategies.
• Further research is needed to establish the incidence and confirm the etiology of HL after CSWEC.