Key result
Internal carotid endarterectomy significantly improved verbal memory, constructive abilities, verbal attainment, and visual attention compared to elective orthopaedic surgery controls.
Why the study?
Does internal carotid endarterectomy improve neuropsychologic function in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis >75% compared to patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery?
Cohort (n=58)
Does internal carotid endarterectomy improve neuropsychologic function in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis >75% compared to patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery?
Carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic severe stenosis appears to significantly improve several cognitive functions postoperatively.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
CEA may enhance cognition in symptomatic stenosis; leaves open need for RCTs to confirm beyond practice effects.
This study assessed neuropsychologic changes after internal carotid endarterectomy using a design that limited the confounding effects of surgical and anesthesiological stress. Twenty-eight patients (mean age = 65.9 years, SD = 8.4, range 45-79), underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment before and on the seventh day after carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis greater than 75%. A similarly assessed control group of 30 patients underwent elective orthopaedic surgery. A third cognitive assessment was performed 4 months postoperatively on a subgroup of the study patients. No significant cognitive change occurred in the control group. The study patients showed significant improvement in verbal memory, constructive abilities, verbal attainment, and visual attention; a trend towards further improvement of verbal functions was evident at the late postoperative assessment. No side-specific cognitive change was observed. In conclusion, carotid endarterectomy performed for currently accepted indications significantly improves several cognitive functions.
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Incalzi et al. (1997) conducted a cohort in Symptomatic carotid stenosis >75% (n=58). Internal carotid endarterectomy vs. Elective orthopaedic surgery was evaluated on Neuropsychologic changes (verbal memory, constructive abilities, verbal attainment, and visual attention). Internal carotid endarterectomy significantly improved verbal memory, constructive abilities, verbal attainment, and visual attention compared to elective orthopaedic surgery controls.
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