Affective, cognitive and subjective changes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery--a preliminary report

Neuropsychiatric change following open-heart surgery has been investigated and emboli proposed as a major causative factor. However, few studies have thoroughly evaluated patients' status prior to surgery. The subjective experiences and neuropsychological status of five open-heart surgery patients was documented both pre- and postoperatively. It was found that prior to surgery patients presented with a wide range of cognitive and emotional problems, some of which were exacerbated by surgery. In particular psychomotor slowing was observed and persisted at six weeks following surgery. This report highlights the importance of conducting preoperative assessments in research which aims to evaluate the effects of different medical procedures on neuropsychiatric functioning.