Post-operative Cognitive Dysfunction
Visit this link to my article on Brain Blogger to read a brief description of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Here is a selection of what I wrote.
In the mid 1950s, Dr. Bedford reported on a number of older adults who exhibited cognitive problems (memory or planning or being able to sustain attention) following surgery where anesthesia was used. This effect is now called postoperative cognitive dysfunction (or decline; POCD). POCD typically lasts for a few months to a year with a small minority of patients exhibiting permanent decline. Studies about it were few at first, with most focusing on cognition following cardiac surgery. Over time and especially more recently, there has been an increase in research of POCD following non-cardiac surgeries (e.g., abdominal or orthopedic) as well as continued interest in POCD following cardiac surgery.
Click here to continue reading.
My husband had mechanical valve replacement 3 months ago and still has very bad judgement when driving and just started staring off and crying about most anything?
I’m sorry to hear that. From what we know from research, your husband’s judgment should hopefully improve with time – it is very rare to have lasting impairment beyond a year (and it can take that long to improve).
With your husband’s staring spells and crying, I’d recommend talking to your primary care physician or a psychologist (or psychiatrist), if you have not already. It’s possible your husband is experiencing a depressive episode, or something like that, which could be affecting his judgment. It is important to talk with his physician.
I had a brain tumor removed 5 years ago at age 51 and started having cognitive problems almost immediately. And I’m STILL having problems with memory and decision-making skills.
I have memory loss and confusion and very short attention span.
I try to keep active (in spurts) doing crossword puzzles, reading, etc., but it (POCD)has affected my whole lifestyle.
The memory loss and confusion and short attention must be really hard to cope with. Doing puzzles and other things requiring sustained attention can help ‘train’ your brain and keep as much of your mental functioning as you can. Without my knowing where the tumor was located, it’s likely that the attention problems are at the root of your confusion and other memory loss. Removing brain tumors unfortunately is impossible to do without damaging some of the surrounding tissue. It’s unfortunate that your problems have persisted, just try to stay as active mentally and physically as you can – it will help.
My fit, 59-year-old husband had a 4.5 hour mini-maze ablation procedure a month ago. His blood pressure is low, averaging 95/63, about 20 pts. lower than it was prior to the operation, and he’s been taken off all but a cholesterol-lowering medication. He’d anticipated catching up on his reading during his recovery, but even scanning the newspaper taxes him. His conversational skills have sharply declined. His time is spent sleeping with mouth wide open, watching TV and staring off into space. I’d joked that he’s more like an effigy than a husband, but now, after a month, I’m starting to be concerned.
Any changes like that can be very concerning. However, because he is only about one month post-surgery, it is not unexpected that he is having some problems. With heart surgeries, up to 60% of patients experience cognitive declines for up to 6 months or a year. Some recover faster than others and a small percentage have lasting cognitive deficits. At this point, if you are very concerned you could talk to your doctor for reassurances but I’d give your husband more time. If he is still having problems at 6 months, then I’d start to talk to your doctor and/or seek out a neuropsychologist.
I hope things improve with your husband.
Thanks so much. I know you’re right in saying it’s too soon to be worried. The issue may be that we weren’t properly informed about possible post-op scenarios — parameters for “normal” during the recovery. I intend to share this observation with our medical provider, Kaiser.