title: The cerebral complications of coronary artery bypass surgery.
abstract: A prospective study of 79 coronary artery bypass surgery patients has been undertaken to determine the cerebral consequences of this form of surgery. Thirty comparative major vascular and thoracic non-cardiopulmonary bypass patients have also been studied. Detailed neurological, neuropsychological and cerebral blood flow investigations were undertaken preoperatively and at 8 days and 8 weeks postoperatively. Whilst stroke was rare following coronary artery bypass surgery, only one case in 76 being found (less than 1%), moderate or severe neuropsychological deficit was common, occurring in 49 of 67 patients (73%) 8 days after surgery and in 25 of 67 patients (37%) 8 weeks after surgery. However, the non-cardiopulmonary bypass patients also showed comparative levels of neuropsychological deficit. Cerebral blood flow was significantly reduced 8 days following coronary artery bypass surgery but not at 8 weeks and not in the comparative group. Significant cerebral blood flow reduction 8 days after coronary artery bypass graft surgery was not related to neuropsychological deficit found at a similar time. A greater neuropsychological deficit was found with longer cardiopulmonary bypass times but increased length of cardiopulmonary bypass appeared not to be related to an increased cerebral blood flow reduction.
authors.affiliation: Middlesex Hospital, London.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors