TEMPERATURE DURING CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS FOR CORONARY-ARTERY OPERATIONS DOES NOT INFLUENCE POSTOPERATIVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION - A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Objective: The objective was to examine the effect of temperature (28 degrees vs 36 degrees C) during cardiopulmonary bypass on postoperativ e cognitive functions in a prospective, double-blind, and randomized m anner. Methods: Sixty-two patients scheduled for coronary operations w ere randomized to warm or cold cardiopulmonary bypass, Preoperative an d postoperative (7 days) neuropsychologic evaluations were performed b y an observer unaware of cardiopulmonary bypass temperature, Results: Fifty-four patients completed the study (cold bypass, n = 24; warm byp ass, n = 30), Significant (p < 0.01) postoperative deterioration for t ests of psychomotor coordination and verbal memory was noted in both w arm and cold groups, but no differences were observed between groups, Conclusion: Temperature during cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary ope rations does not influence postoperative cognitive function.