Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
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J Int Neuropsychol Soc · May 1996
Case ReportsNear drowning in frigid water: a case study of a 31-year-old woman.
A 31-yr-old woman demonstrated intact neuropsychological functioning after being submerged for at least 30 minutes in icy cold water. Following submersion, the patient received CPR for approximately 1 hr. ⋯ Extensive neuropsychological testing was completed 3 mo after the accident with no objective or subjective deficits evidenced. This case of hypothermically mediated neuroprotection from anoxia in an adult supports the need for further research on the putative neurophysiological mechanisms invoked and the potential for application of clinically induced hypothermia in the acute management of other types of cerebral insults.
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J Int Neuropsychol Soc · May 1996
Effect of asymptomatic carotid artery disease on cognitive outcome after cardiopulmonary bypass.
This prospective study reinvestigates the effect of asymptomatic carotid artery disease on the cognitive outcome after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (Harrison et al., 1989). Patients (N = 104) scheduled for cardiac surgery using CPB were classified in one of two groups based on the results of a preoperative duplex B mode Doppler scan of the internal carotid arteries. All patients received a neuropsychological examination before surgery, 8 days after surgery, and 6 months after surgery (n = 79). ⋯ These dysfunctions were resolved by the sixth postoperative month. We found no indications that the presence of asymptomatic carotid artery disease increased the incidence of cognitive disturbances after CPB or differentially affected the postoperative performance. We conclude that mild to moderate asymptomatic carotid artery disease does not appear to play a major role in the genesis of postoperative neuropsychological sequelae.