Increasing Preoperative Cognitive Reserve to Prevent Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Cardiac Surgical Patients
This study tests whether cognitive training before heart surgery can help prevent memory and thinking problems that sometimes occur after surgery. Researchers will teach patients brain-training exercises before their operation to strengthen their cognitive reserve, which is the brain's ability to resist damage.
Key Objective: The trial tests whether preoperative cognitive training can reduce postoperative cognitive decline and delirium in cardiac surgery patients.
Who to Consider: Patients scheduled for cardiac surgery who are concerned about memory or thinking problems after their operation should consider enrolling.
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) can be observed after cardiosurgical interventions. Taken together, these postoperative neurocognitive dysfunctions contribute to increased morbidity and mortality and higher economic costs. Preoperative risk factors of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunctions, such as decreased neuropsychometric performance or decreased cognitive daily activities, can be interpreted as reduced cognitive reserve. The aim of this study is to build up cognitive reserves to protect against the development of POD and POCD through preoperative, home-based, cognitive training.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Elective cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic or mitral valve replacement/reconstruction, or combination surgery) with standardized extracorporeal circulation * A sufficiently good knowledge of German is necessary as cognitive training and neuropsychological tests are language-dependent Exclusion Criteria: * History of stroke and preexisting psychiatric or neurological disorders that may impair the neuropsychological performance