Electroencephalographic changes in patients with cardiopathies, subsequently operated under extracorporeal circulation. Significance and outcome. Evaluation of 679 cases

This study analysed the pre-operative electroencephalographic recordings of 679 patients with heart disease, later undergoing surgery under extra-corporeal circulation. The type and the severity of the abnormalities are listed for each heart disease. These results are compared to those already published in the literature on this subject and are discussed in terms of a number of possible aetiological factors: the age of the patients, data provided by the pre-operative cardio-pulmonary assessment. This analysis does not enable us to demonstrate, with any statistical significance, the aetiological factor(s) of these electroencephalographic alterations. Finally, comparison of the pre-, intra- and postoperative EEG in the same patients enables us to evaluate the prognostic value of these electrical abnormalities.