[CDP-choline improves the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with cerebral risk]

To evaluate the efficacy of CDP-choline to prevent from brain damages after surgery for high risk patients, 210 patients receiving pre and post operative parenteral CDP-choline were compared to 204 controls (mean age 73 years) in a multicenter open randomised study. Quality and delay of anesthetic recovery were assessed. Cognitive screening test and self-control scale (simplified Mini Mental Status test and Barthel Index) were performed the day before and the first and fourth day after surgery. CDP-choline does not enhance quality or delay of anesthetic recovery but increases the percentage of subjects with a better fourth post-operative than preoperative cognitive and self-control test (p less than 0.05).