Predictors of cognitive function in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract

Candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery have been found to exhibit reduced cognitive function prior to surgery. However, little is known regarding the factors that are associated with pre-bypass cognitive function. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to a group of patients listed for bypass surgery. Medical, sociodemographic and emotional predictors of cognitive function were investigated using structural equation modeling. Medical factors, namely history of hypertension and low ejection fraction, significantly predicted reduced cognitive function, as did several sociodemographic characteristics, namely older age, less education, non-English speaking background..