Cognitive Effects of Aortic Valve Replacement
Clogged arteries surrounding the heart can lead to blockage, degeneration and hardening of the aortic valve, part of the pumping system that keeps blood flowing in and out of the heart. The result can be heart failure with all its life-altering and potentially deadly effects. When the aortic valve is severely damaged, surgeons can replace it with either a mechanical prosthetic valve or a biological valve from a pig, a cow or a human donor. Many patients report significant improvements in their general health, but for some, there are disconcerting cognitive effects.
Valve replacement
Valve replacement surgery is not for everyone. Your cardiologist will do a series of interviews and tests to determine whether you are strong enough to survive the surgery. If you do choose to undergo the surgery, there are two approaches to this open-heart surgery. The traditional method involves placing the patient on a heart-lung machine, which takes over pumping the blood through the body while the heart is stopped for the surgery. Doctors open the sternum and sew the new valve into place.
Experimental approach
During the early 21st century, a new method of valve replacement involving the placement of the new valve through a catheter inserted into the femoral artery in the thigh has been developed, but it is still in clinical trials. You will have to locate a hospital that can do this surgery, if your regular cardiologist does not perform it. Your cardiologist may be able to guide you in this search. Together with this new approach, some clinical trials are adding drugs during the operation to try to protect the brain from the effects of the surgery, including the release of so much fatty material dislodged from the clogged artery walls into the bloodstream.
Cognitive Deficit
In the first few weeks after surgery, some patients report feeling depressed, confused or "in a fog." Clinical trials have proven that during this period, patients experience a temporary decrease in their language comprehension, ability to visualize objects in space, manual dexterity and other skills. The good news is that those same studies report that the cognitive effects of heart surgery usually revolve on their own within a few months.
Train Your Brain
If after the surgery you notice the symptoms of cognitive deficit, don't panic. Begin keeping lists of everything: things to do, phone numbers, groceries, whatever you do from day to day. Keeping a routine journal also helps some people stay focused: the simple act of writing things down helps to clear a pathway for information in the brain. Keep your brain active by doing crosswords, word searches, sudoku, even connect-the-dots puzzles. During this difficult time, don't be afraid to delegate tasks or too proud to ask for assistance.
Healthy lifestyle
Ongoing studies seem to suggest that the people who suffer from cognitive deficit after aortic valve replacement surgery are the ones who were at risk for other kinds of dementia. It helps to make all the healthy lifestyle changes for heart and brain health in advance of surgery. East less fat and more lean protein, take your medications and supplements as directed, and get out and get some moderate exercise for half an hour, three times a week. It's also important to control stress in your life, as this can have a negative effect not only on your heart and brain health, but on your emotional health as you recover from open heart surgery.
Tags: after surgery, aortic valve, Aortic Valve Replacement, brain health, clinical trials