The impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation on neurocognitive outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Neurocognitive decline is a continuing source of morbidity after cardiac surgery. Atrial fibrillation occurs often after cardiac surgery and has been linked to adverse neurologic events. We sought to determine whether postoperative atrial fibrillation was associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Four-hundred-eleven patients were enrolled to receive a battery of neurocognitive tests both preoperatively and 6 wk after elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Neurocognitive test scores were separated into four cognitive domains, with a composite cognitive index (the mean of the four domain scores) determined for each patient at every testing period. Multivariable analysis controlling for age, years of education, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, and preoperative atrial fibrillation compared the presence of postoperative atrial fibrillation with change in cognitive function. Three-hundred-eight patients completed both pre- and postoperative cognitive testing; 69 patients (22%) had postoperative atrial fibrillation. Those who developed atrial fibrillation showed more cognitive decline than those who did not develop postoperative atrial fibrillation (P = 0.036). Atrial fibrillation was associated with poorer cognitive function 6 wk after surgery. Although the mechanism of this association is yet to be determined, prevention of atrial fibrillation may result in improved neurocognitive function.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurocognitive dysfunction is common after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The relationship between atrial fibrillation and neurocognitive dysfunction has not been examined. Our study shows that postoperative atrial fibrillation is associated with neurocognitive decline.
Stanley
Timothy O
TO
Departments of Anesthesiology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medicine (Neurology), and Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Mackensen
G Burkhard
GB
Grocott
Hilary P
HP
White
William D
WD
Blumenthal
James A
JA
Laskowitz
Daniel T
DT
Landolfo
Kevin P
KP
Reves
Joseph G
JG
Mathew
Joseph P
JP
Newman
Mark F
MF
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors