CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION DURING COGNITIVE STRESS IN MEN BEFORE AND AFTER CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTS

Cardiovascular function during cognitive stress using the Stroop Color Test (SCWT) was documented in 25 men with ischemic heart disease (IHD ) before and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Impedance c ardiography was used to measure changes from resting baseline in heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), myocardial contra ctility, and total peripheral resistance (TPR). Cognitive stress was a ssociated with significant increases in HR, blood pressure, SV, CO, an d myocardial contractility. TPR did not change from resting baseline d uring cognitive stress before CABG. However, TPR decreased significant ly from resting baseline during cognitive stress after CABG. These fin dings support the theory that cognitive stress is associated with a si gnificant increase in myocardial oxygen demand.