A History of Alcohol Dependence Increases the Incidence and Severity of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(11), 2725-2739

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) commonly occurs after cardiac surgery.

We tested the hypothesis that a history of alcohol dependence is associated with an increased incidence and severity of POCD in male patients undergoing cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass.

The results suggest that a history of alcohol dependence increases the incidence and severity of POCD after cardiac surgery.

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