Neuropsychological Changes After On-Pump vs. Off-Pump CABG Surgery

With regard to neuropsychological outcomes, the two types of coronary artery bypass grafting yielded similar results in a randomized trial.

During the past 10 years, interest in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery has increased because of its potential to minimize cardiac and neurological complications. Against this backdrop, researchers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs randomized 2203 patients (99% men) scheduled for CABG to undergo either on-pump or off-pump surgery. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, repeat revascularization, or nonfatal myocardial infarction in the first year after surgery.

Graft patency and individual components of the primary endpoint did not differ significantly between the on-pump and off-pump groups, nor did overall neuropsychological outcomes — assessed with a battery of tests — at 1 year.

Comment…

Reviewing Author

Jon Brillman, MD