Perception of cognitive function in older adults following coronary arterybypass surgery

This study examined the effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) o n objective and subjective measures of neurocognitive functioning. Particip ants were 170 older patients (127 men and 43 women; mean age = 61 years) un dergoing CABG. Measures of neurocognitive function, depression, anxiety, an d perceived cognitive abilities were administered immediately prior to and 6 weeks following surgery. Although objective measures of impaired cognitiv e performance following CABG were not related to perceived cognitive diffic ulties, the presence of anxiety and depression was related to the perceptio n of cognitive functioning. Patients who reported high levels of anxiety an d depression 6 weeks after surgery perceived themselves as having poorer co gnitive function. Interventions designed to reduce emotional distress could improve patient's perceived cognitive abilities following CABG.