Key result
The APOE-epsilon 4 allele was not associated with the significant cognitive decline or high frequency of delirium observed 1 month after heart bypass surgery in 137 patients.
Why the study?
Does the APOE-epsilon 4 allele predict cognitive decline and delirium in patients undergoing heart bypass surgery?
Observational (n=137)
Does the APOE-epsilon 4 allele predict cognitive decline and delirium in patients undergoing heart bypass surgery?
The APOE-epsilon 4 allele does not appear to be associated with the high incidence of cognitive decline and delirium observed 1 month after coronary bypass surgery.
APOE-ε4 should not guide perioperative cognitive risk assessment after bypass; leaves open genetic contributions in larger prospective cohorts.
Cognitive decline and delirium are common complications after heart bypass surgery. Based on the reported role of the APOE-epsilon 4 allele in neurodegenerative diseases, we studied its association with these complications. A neuropsychological test battery consisting of the Mini Mental State Examination, the Wechsler's Memory Scale Revised, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Delirium Rating Scale was applied to 137 APOE-genotyped patients on admission and 1 month after bypass surgery. We correlated the APOE (apolipoprotein E) polymorphism with the postoperative test outcome by taking into account all factors known to influence cognitive capacity after heart surgery. There was a significant decline in all test results 1 month after surgery and a high frequency of postoperative delirium. Neither this decline nor the frequency of delirium was associated with the APOE-epsilon 4 allele. This study confirms the high incidence of cognitive decline and delirium after coronary surgery, but it does not support the role of the APOE-epsilon 4 allele in the occurrence of these complications.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tagarakis et al. (2007) conducted an observational in Cognitive decline and delirium after bypass heart operations (n=137). APOE-epsilon 4 allele vs. Absence of APOE-epsilon 4 allele was evaluated on Cognitive decline and delirium. The APOE-epsilon 4 allele was not associated with the significant cognitive decline or high frequency of delirium observed 1 month after heart bypass surgery in 137 patients.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: