CEREBRAL COMPLICATIONS AFTER CORONARY-BYPASS GRAFTING

As the mortality associated with coronary artery bypass grafting has f allen, morbidity has become an increasing concern both by the medical profession and the general public. Postoperative quality of life, incl uding the socioeconomic concern of returning to gainful employment, is of supreme importance. It is in this regard that brain injury followi ng coronary artery bypass grafting is devastating if it leaves the pat ient with persistent motor, sensory, behavioral, or intellectual defic iencies. This paper reviews the cerebral complications following surge ry for coronary artery disease. The extent of the problem is defined, and pathological mechanisms of injury together with methods employed t o investigate cerebral pathology and physiology are reviewed. Finally, interventions which have been and are currently employed in an attemp t to reduce cerebral injury are discussed.