Approaches to reduce neurologic complications during cardiac surgery.
As outcome measures of cardiac surgery are carefully analyzed, neurologic outcomes are a prominent determinant of overall outcome. Sensitive measures of pre- and postoperative neuropsychologic performance and intraoperative emboli reveal a risk group of patients at an advanced age, with severe generalized atherosclerosis who require cardiac surgery. By using the results of observational studies, we have developed a protocol that uses innovative intraoperative techniques to minimize injury and thus improve outcome.
Hammon
J W
JW
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. jhammon@wfubmc.edu
Stump
D A
DA
Butterworth
J B
JB
Moody
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors