[Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Surgery With

N Efimova1, V Chernov1, I Efimova1

  • 1Research Institute for Cardiology of the Research Centre of RAMS Siberian Branch, ul. Kievskaya 111a, 634012 Tomsk, Russia.

Kardiologiia
|March 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) reduces cerebral blood flow, impairing cognitive functions like memory and psychomotor speed in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Neurology
  • Medical Imaging

Context:

  • Ischemic heart disease (IHD) often necessitates surgical intervention.
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a common treatment.
  • The impact of CPB on cerebral perfusion and cognitive function requires detailed investigation.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the effect of CABG with CPB on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).
  • To assess the impact of CABG with CPB on cognitive function in IHD patients.
  • To correlate changes in cerebral perfusion with cognitive status post-surgery.

Summary:

  • Twenty-two IHD patients underwent CABG with CPB, with brain SPECT scans and neuropsychological tests performed pre-surgery and at 10-14 days and 6 months post-surgery.
  • A significant reduction in rCBF was observed in frontal and parietal cortex regions post-CABG with CPB.
  • Cognitive deficits, including decreased verbal memory, learning, and psychomotor speed, were noted, correlating with altered cerebral perfusion.

Impact:

  • CABG with CPB is associated with reduced cerebral perfusion, leading to cognitive dysfunction.
  • Immediate and delayed verbal and visual memory, learning, and psychomotor speed are particularly sensitive to the negative effects of this surgical procedure.
  • Findings highlight the need for monitoring and potential interventions to mitigate neurological complications following CABG with CPB.
Abstract