Cognitive Function in Candidates for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background While many studies have investigated cognitive impairments in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, very few have closely evaluated presurgical cognitive functioning of bypass candidates. Methods A battery of neuropsychologic tests was administered to a consecutive series of patients listed for bypass surgery (n = 109). Cognitive function of bypass candidates was compared with that of a healthy control group (n = 25) and published test norms. Results Cognitive test scores in candidates for bypass were significantly lower than those of the control group on tests of attention, information processing speed, and verbal memory. Additionally, bypass candidates’ cognitive test scores were significantly reduced compared with expected values derived from validated test norms, on all but one cognitive test. Conclusions Cognitive performances of candidates for bypass were significantly lower than those of a healthy control group and published cognitive test norms.