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Among the patients studied, the incidence of cognitive decline was 53 percent at discharge, 36 percent at six weeks, 24 percent at six months, and 42 percent at five years. We investigated predictors of cognitive decline at five years and f ound that cognitive function at discharge was a significant predictor of long-term function (P<0.001). These results confirm the relatively high prevalence and persistence of cognitive decline after CABG and suggest a pattern of early improvement followe d by a later decline that is predicted by the presence of early postoperative cognitive decline. Interventions to prevent or reduce short- and long-tern cognitive decline after cardiac surgery are warranted. |
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