Seminars in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Jun 2010
Methodological issues of postoperative cognitive dysfunction research.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a subtle impairment of memory, concentration, and speed of information processing. It is a frequent complication following surgery and can have a debilitating effect on patients' recovery and future prognosis. ⋯ There is a profound lack of consensus regarding the research methodology for detection of cognitive deterioration, especially the diagnostic criteria. Issues, such as baseline performance, learning effects, and the interval between test sessions, also influence test results and must be considered when designing and interpreting POCD data.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Jun 2010
Animal models of cardiopulmonary bypass: development, applications, and impact.
Neurologic and neurocognitive complications after cardiac surgery have been reported repeatedly. To better understand its etiology and design protective strategies, small animal models have been developed. ⋯ This model led the way for even more complicated models with CPB, facilitating full cardiac arrest with anterograde cardioplegia administration, air embolization, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. In addition, the results of several of those rat CPB studies are summarized and their preclinical relevance is pointed out.