Post bypass surgery side effect - loss of memory, none-sense behavior etc...

[Catus]

My aunt, 73, recently had a triple bypass surgery. She was kept in the intensive care unit, ICU, for a day and brought to a recovery room. The nurses asked her couple of questions to check her status: what her name was, what my mom's name was etc... she knew all the answers. After some time, they asked her if she had a kid (she has a son); she said that she had a daughter, she did not make sense. She did not sleep much first night and she wanted to get up and walk, but she was not aware that she wanted to do this. She was trying to get up although she was not supposed to. And now they brought her back to the ICU. I assume she will be kept there for a while.
I don't know if this side effect is normal or not. Could you please let me have some information about this. Is this something that I need to worry about? What is possibly happening? What are the possible risks for permenant memory loss etc..? Is she going to be normal again? I was told that her heart is working fine.
I'd appreciate your help.

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Catus,

I am sorry to hear about your aunt. Many times older people become transiently confused when they are admitted into a hospital and are given new medications. The situation you are describing is post-operative delirium. Specifically, following coronary artery bypass surgery a significant number of people become confused. This is felt to be due in part to small blood clots going to the brain and/or transient periods of hypotension during surgery at which time the brain is under perfused. Most of the episodes are reversible, but sometimes it may take the person months to return to their baseline level of cognitive function. I would recommend being very patient and supportive of your aunt and she will hopefully improve.

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[Catus]

Two days after I posted my question she is back to normal now and doing great. I even talked to her on the phone. She sounded excellent. Thank you for your response, I really appreciate you guys being there for us.

[trying to understand]

Hi... My 82 year old dad recently had a heart attack and had quadruple bypass surgery.  He was very active before the heart attack and surgery.  He has lost 50 lbs. doesn't have any apetite, sleeps alot, doesn't have very good memory or reasoning and doesn't feel like doing any of his recommended breathing exercises.  He just recently was diagnosed with pneumonia and had fluid extracted from one of his lungs. I'd like to know if this is a typical post operative condition and if so how long it typically lasts.  I'd also like to know what I can do to help him recovery.

Thanks for listening and any advice you can provide.

Mike

[Rick_D]

My 74 year old father just underwent emergency quad-bypass. He also suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and minor emphazima (sp?).  He was intubated for 8 days post surgery and struggled to control his breathing.  Now that he is awake, he seems to have difficulty with long-term memory and fantasy/reality.  He recalls events that never occured and forgets phone numbers and names.  Prior to surgery my father was as sharp as a tact and worked in mathematics.  It's breaking my heart to see him struggle so much.  I've read the comments of others and realize that there is a "road to recovery" with no guarantees.  However, is there any form of therapy that can help improve cognitive skills?

[zahra101]

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