Effects of N-acetylcysteine on neurocognitive functions after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Canan Ünlü,

doi:10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2013.6802

Canan Ünlü¹, Nihan Yapıcı², Filiz İzgi Coşkun², Türkan Kudsioğlu², Cihan Ünlü³, Zuhal Aykaç²

¹İstanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi Göztepe Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Anestezi ve Reanimasyon Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
²Dr. Siyami Ersek Göğüs Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Anestezi ve Reanimasyon Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
³Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Göz Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye

DOI : 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2013.6802

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of intraoperative N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on neurocognitive functions after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: A total of 100 patients (83 males, 17 females; mean age 55.5±9.1 years; range 30 to 70 years) with ASA class II-III who were scheduled for CABG were included. The patients were assigned into two groups, including control group (n=50) and NAC group (n=50). For the evaluation of neurocognitive functions, mini mental test, Wechsler memory scale, digit span test, verbal fluency test, Stroop color-word test and trail making test were administered preoperatively and at postoperative third to fifth days.

Results: There was no difference in demographic characteristics and operational data between the groups. Postoperative scores of neurocognitive function tests were higher in NAC group, compared to the control group. Postoperative scores were lower in some tests in the control group.

Conclusion: We conclude that N-acetylcysteine has protective effects on central nervous system, as in several organ systems.

Keywords : Coronary artery bypass graft surgery; N-acetylcysteine; neurocognitive function test

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