Study Links Bypass Surgery to Cognitive Changes

Another study has found that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be associated with an increased risk of stroke, short-term memory problems, and long-term cognitive changes. The results were presented at the 8th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in Stockholm (Sweden).

Researchers collected data on 3,300 patients undergoing CABG between 1997 and 2001. They found that 2.6% of them suffered a stroke and 6.8% developed acute confusion or short-term memory problems. They also found that there is a 50% increase in the probability of acute confusion for each hour on the bypass pump. Changes in the cognitive function of the patients were monitored for one month, one year, and five years following surgery.

In the short term, cognitive changes involving memory and attention generally improved within one year of surgery. Between one and five years, however, the researchers identified cognitive declines, noting that patients with severe cerebrovascular disease at baseline were more likely to experience a delayed decline. Based on the study, risk factors for stroke and acute confusion following CABG have been developed.

"There appears to be a subpopulation of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery with risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, who are at greater risk for stroke, cognitive decline, and long-term cognitive changes,” said Guy M. McKhann, M.D., professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD, USA), who led the study.




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