Can a Heart Bypass Surgery Lead to Brain Damage?

According to a detailed analysis, it has been reported that a huge number of patients suffer brain damage after heart bypass operations, as after-effects of the cardiac procedure which is now routine though. The procedure poses a serious threat to the brain as the outcome may be several brain issues like short-term memory, low attention span, compromised retention ability and even permanent brain damage. Whatever be the intensity of the risk, many patients have reported to have developed serious brain complications within a month if the procedure.

Serious Implications of Cardiac Procedures on Brain

Apart from what damage do the cardiac machines like mechanical pump system, heart-lung machines and piping machines cause to the blood cells, the entry of single clot, bubble or debris released during the process, into the brain system is good enough to cause a stroke. So, while the procedure ensures the heart to safety, the brain may be dragged to an unsafe zone.

The doctors tackle this problem by performing the patient’s brain scans before and after the heart bypass surgery. As performing a study published in the July 2002 issue of The Archives of Neurology, the researchers found that after performing pre and post-surgery scans, the blood flow had decreased in several areas of the brain in many patients.

The scans also revealed changes in how the brain reacted to certain compounds, which indicates cell damage. Patients who had these changes initially scored lower in their thinking tests, but their brain function returned to normal levels within 10-14 days after the surgery.

Brain at Risk During Hear Procedures – Research Findings

Researchers say that the inflammation must have happened in the brain due to surgery which must have effected the brain function. The intervention of machines like heart and lung machine, also leads to formation of air bubbles which may enter the brain system, impact it and even cause damage to it. Also the powerful anesthetic medication may lead to disturbed brain function.

Further research studies have made it very clear that heart procedures like the bypass surgery pose enough stress and risk to the brain and nervous system. The risks may range from inflammation at many places in the system, to lack of oxygen, abnormal body temperature, slowdown of brain function and even brain damage and stroke.

Precautionary Methods Implemented During Cardiac Procedures to Avoid Brain Damage/Stroke

To counter this problem, cerebral embolic protection devices (CEPD) are used during cardiac surgeries. These devices for brain protection are fixed in the system, right before the surgery to avoid any risk to the brain during the surgery. They filter the blood and trap the clot or debris, prevent them from entering the nervous system and causing harm to the brain in any way.