Abstract
We evaluated changes in cognitive functions after carotid endoarterectomy(CEA) in patients with significant carotid stenosis who did not have aphasia, apraxia or agnosia. We prospectively conducted evaluations before and 7 days after surgery. Although there were no significant differences in MMSE scores, MoCA scores was significantly improved after CEA(P=0.032) , especially in those who had left carotid stenosis. Furthermore, visuospatial/executive(P = 0.014) and delayed recall(P=0.041) were significantly recovered in patients with left carotid stenosis. MoCA might detect slight changes in the cognitive functions of patients with carotid stenosis who undergo CEA. CEA may improve cognitive functions in patients with carotid stenosis, especially when stenosis is on the left side.
