title: Does carotid endarterectomy lead to a decline in cognitive function or health related quality of life?
abstract: Carotid endarterectomy has been shown to reduce the long-term risk of stroke in selected patients. The present study was designed to examine cognitive function and health related quality of life in a series of carotid endarterectomy patients. One hundred and nine patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were assessed before surgery and at 6 months post op (n = 100) on standard cognitive function tests and quality of life surveys. Microembolisation was detected using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Multivariate repeated measures analysis if variance identified evidences of significant impairments on some tests. Further analysis revealed that particulate Microembolisation detected during the procedure was a significant risk factor associated with declining cognitive function. Patients' self-reported health related quality of life had not deteriorated at 6 month following surgery.
authors.affiliation: MEDTAP International, Inc., London, UK. llyod@medtap.com
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Nicholas J M
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: London
authors.forename: Peter R F
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: A Ross
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Naylor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004617:Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods