Although some patients and their families are acutely aware of changes after bypass surgery, others are not. If you need bypass surgery, this wouldn't be a reason not to do it. The alternative may be not being alive in 5 years to take your tests. In the Duke study, the changes in test results before and shortly after surgery may be related to the way the tests were given. Patients receive pain medication and other drugs after surgery that can cause difficulty in concentrating.
Some people sleep poorly in the hospital, which compounds the problem.
Being away from familiar surroundings and family could result in confusion in some participants. Nonetheless, these events fail to explain the cause of long-term cognitive problems. Not much is known about the effects of bypass surgery on long-term mental function, which makes it difficult for doctors to determine and discuss the true risk with an individual. But for potential patients, questions about cognitive loss are among the most important. Mayo cardiovascular surgeon Kenton Zehr, M.D., believes that the danger of cognitive decline after bypass surgery may be overstated.