Emotion recognition dysfunction after anesthesia and cardiac surgery

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly postcardiac surgery patients: progress in rehabilitation application research

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a prevalent complication of the central nervous system in elderly patients following cardiac surgery. This review aims to provide an overview of the etiology, risk factors, diagnostic assessment, and rehabilitation strategies for cognitive dysfunction occurring after cardiac surgery. The pathogenesis of POCD after cardiac surgery includes cerebral microembolism, neuroinflammation, and cryptogenic strokes. Risk factors are associated with advanced age, diminished preoperative cognitive status, and anesthesia. Cognitive function screening tools used for pre- and postoperative assessments can detect changes in patients' cognitive levels in a timely manner. The timely provision of appropriate rehabilitation methods, including cognitive function training, exercise training, transcranial direct current stimulation, and perioperative acupuncture, is crucial, with emerging technologies such as virtual reality playing an increasingly significant role. In conclusion, POCD is a common postoperative complication in elderly cardiac surgery patients, with age and reduced preoperative cognitive function being the primary risk factors. A comprehensive rehabilitation strategy can more effectively address postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients.

Perioperative changes of the linguistic functions in women after gynecological laparoscopic operations under propofol or sevoflurane-based anesthesia

INTRODUCTION

Perioperative stress and exposure to anesthetics may trigger alterations in cognition. In this study, a group of women underwent neuropsychological evaluation to measure the influence of inhalational and intravenous anesthesia on linguistic performance, in the context of the perioperative inflammatory response and duration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients undergoing elective gynecological laparoscopic operations were randomly assigned to receive either propofol-based anesthesia (PBA) or sevoflurane-based anesthesia (SBA). The Vocabulary subtest of the Polish version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Łatysz test [ŁT, subtests: correct words (CW) and all words (AW)], and Word Fluency Test [WFT subtest letters: F, A, S, and categories: animals (An), fruits (Fr), vegetables (Ve)] were applied before and 24 h after anesthesia. Leukocyte count and smear as well as C-reactive protein were analyzed in the same time period. Duration of anesthesia was recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were included in the study (PBA: 29, SBA: 32). The comparison of the pre- and postoperative difference in results between the PBA and SBA groups showed a significant difference in one test (WFT-A). A postoperative increase in the results occurred in more scales in the SBA group (ŁT-CW, ŁT-AW, WFT-A, and WFT-Ve) than in the PBA group (ŁT-AW). There were single correlations between the inflammatory markers and the results of linguistic tests. The duration of anesthesia did not influence the results of linguistic tests.

CONCLUSIONS

The linguistic performance in the perioperative period was stable, with increases noted in several of the tested domains, predominantly in the SBA group.