Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
 | 

Cognitive function loss after heart valve replaced

by drandrea, Nov 02, 2009 05:23PM
My mother is 68 years old, and one month ago underwent an aortic valve replacement (bovine). Surgery was successful, but she has underlying medical issues related to rheumatoid arthritis and suspected rheumatoid lung. She came off the ventilator unsuccessfully three times before a tracheostomy was done 8 days ago. She is now being transferred to a ventilator facility, where they are trying to wean her from the ventilator. My question revolves around her mental status. Prior to the surgery, my mother was a mentally healthy, fairly physically active woman. She is extremely intelligent, and self-employed as a recruiter for software engineers. Now, she is exhibiting signs of loss of some cognitive function and confusion. She knows who she is, where she is, why she is there, but the changes are subtle; for another woman her age, these same symptoms might not be recognizable. She was completely sedated for 12 days, with the sedation only completely lifted 7 days ago. She was re-sedated two days ago for placement of a peg-feeding tube. Since then, she has had only .25mg Xanax.
Are these symptoms expected? Will they self-resolve? Is it possible (and with what likelihood) will these changes be permanent?


This discussion is related to RE: MEMORY LOSS AFTER OPEN HEART SURGERY.
Post Comment
To
Comment
Post Comment
Recent Activity
April2 commented on Want to cry!!!
5 mins ago
stacys_aunt commented on Today
1 hr ago
marileew is better after a few days off due to headaches.
j7653 commented on happy birthday to me!...
2 hrs ago
wantmyselfback commented on Tramadol & Ultram...
2 hrs ago
Mood Tracker: a day at my mother in low
3 hrs ago by Malaksharif
April2 commented on Sad cases of Animal C...
3 hrs ago
pharma9 commented on Tramadol & Ultram...
4 hrs ago
RSS Expert Activity
Sad cases of Animal Cruelty
8 hrs ago by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
Cost and Availablity of Medical Car...
17 hrs ago by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS
Behavior Medications for our Pets -... 
21 hrs ago by Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.
Community Members