Characteristics of cognitive functioning of patients who have undergone cardiosurgical interventions

Abstract

The study of the state of cognitive functioning of patients who underwent Сardiо-Surgery Interventions (CSI) was studied to take into account the data obtained when creating rehabilitation programs for this category of patients. We examined 700 patients who were treated at the State Institution "Heart Institute of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" after undergoing CSI with an artificial circulation procedure. First, the general state of cognitive functioning in the sample was analyzed. Then, in front of the examined patients, we selected a group of patients with manifestations of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), numbering 504 persons. Thus, in the second stage of the work, the indicators of patients in this group were compared with the indicators of patients who underwent CSI, without signs of CSI, the number of 196 persons taken from the same sample. As a result of the study, significant cognitive impairment was revealed in more than 70% of patients who underwent CSI. This manifested itself in the slowing down of mental processes and reduced switching of attention, manifestations of inhibition, rigidity of thinking, exhaustion, decreased speed and efficiency of memorization; in general, a total decrease in the speed and efficiency of cognitive processes, which is consistent with the data of modern scientific literature on the significant manifestations of cognitive deficits in the postoperative period after cardiac interventions. The answer to the question of identifying defensive factors inherent in a group of patients without signs of cognitive deficits will be obtained as a result of our further work. The identified patterns should be taken into account in the development of treatment, rehabilitation and prevention measures for patients who have suffered from CSI. Keywords: cardiac surgery, artificial blood circulation, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, cognitive functioning.