Neuropsychological Status of Patients with Minor and Moderate Carotid Artery Stenosis Undergoing Coronary Bypass

The aim of the present work was to undertake a comparative evaluation of changes in the neurological and neuropsychological status of patients with and without carotid artery stenoses of less than 50% after coronary bypass. A total of 65 patients were assessed, in two groups: group 1 did not have carotid artery stenosis and included 35 patients (mean age 56.2 ± 5.7 years) and group 2 had carotid artery stenosis and included 30 patients (56.8 ± 5.5 years). Before surgery, all patients had comparable clinical and history data. As compared with patients without stenosis, those with minor and moderate carotid artery stenosis showed higher incidences of asthenic, vestibular, and vestibulo-atactic syndromes before surgery. After coronary bypass, deterioration in neurological status was seen in patients of both groups. Patients with minor and moderate carotid artery stenosis had worse neuropsychological test results one month after surgery.