Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and cognitive decline: a review

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a worldwide used myocardial revascularization procedure, which despite the modem advantages still has a spectrum of complications. The relatively old age of the patients who undergo CABG and their widespread atherosclerotic disease are possible reasons for vascular sequels particularly those leading to neurological dysfunction. Immediate, early and late cognitive decline is a known- and well-defined outcome of CABG. Whereas a lot of data was collected through the last years regarding to neuropsychological dysfunction after CABG, nevertheless etiology and mechanisms of this phenomenon remain unresolved and they are probably multifactorial. Meticulously preoperative assessment of those patients with a potential risk of adverse neurocognitive outcomes can help clinicians to select the mode of revascularization and to better counsel patients about the risks and benefits of surgery versus more conservative kinds of treatment. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.