Postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion associated with impaired cognitive function in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy

Object. Cognitive impairment occurs in 20 to 30% of patients following carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion is associated with impairment of cognitive function in patients undergoing that procedure. Methods. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using single-photon emission computerized tomography scanning before and immediately after CEA and on the 3rd postoperative day in 92 patients with ipsilateral internal carotid artery stenosis of 70% or greater. Hyperperfusion post-CEA was defined as a 100% increase or greater in CBF compared with preoperative values. Neuropsychological testing was also performed preoperatively and at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up examinations. At the 1-month postoperative neuropsychological assessment, 11 patients (12%) displayed evidence of cognitive impairment. In addition, the incidence of postoperative cognitive impairment in patients with post-CEA hyperperfusion (seven [58%] of 12 p...