Cognitive Impairment Prevalence and Impact on Quality of Life for Patients after Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a common complication after cardiac surgery. It complicates not only the patient’s recovery and return to normal life, but also has a negative impact on quality of life. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its impact of quality of life for patients after cardiac surgery. Results: Before cardiac surgery, mild cognitive impairment was determined to be 20.8 percent and moderate cognitive impairment was 3.3 percent. After surgery, mild cognitive impairment almost doubled to 46.1 percent and moderate cognitive impairment increased to 4.9 percent. Older age, lower education, smoking, and prolonged hospitalization before surgery impacts cognitive impairment. Postoperative cognitive impairment is influenced by older age, prolonged hospitalization before surgery, prolonged operation, mechanical ventilation, and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. For patients without cognitive impairment before cardiac surgery, general health assessment improved the most without reduced vitality/viability. For patients whose cognitive impairment significantly improved physical activity, pain sensation, and general health assessment improved slightly. Conclusions: Preoperative cognitive impairment was determined in 1/4 of our patients. Mild cognitive impairment after surgery was slightly increased. Older age, lower education, and prolonged hospitalization before surgery have an impact on cognitive impairment before and after surgery.