Abstract

We examined the relationship between short- and medium-term POCD and anesthetic depth using bispectral index (BIS) values in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We identified 89 patients in whom BIS monitoring was used. Memory and executive functions were assessed before, one week, and three months after surgery. Two cognitive tests showed at least two standard deviation (SD) decrease from baseline in patients one week after surgery. After three months, six tests showed at least one SD decrease from baseline. BIS scores were significantly higher after CPB in patients with versus without POCD one week after surgery. The BIS scores during and after CPB and throughout the surgery were also higher in patients with versus without POCD three months after surgery. The results suggest that there may be a relationship between POCD and anesthetic depth in patients undergoing CABG.