2013 Volume 35 Issue 3 Pages 181-186
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the degree of changes in cognitive performance after carotid artery stenting (CAS).
Methods: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) was performed in 107 patients with high grade carotid artery stenosis from January 2005 to September 2007, of whom thirty four patients were finally included in the present study. Preoperative neuropsychological testing was conducted around five days before CAS and about 6 months after stenting. The following neuropsychological tests were selected: MMSE,WAIS-R,WMS-R, Trail making test, Word fluency test, and Self-rating depression test (SDS).
Result: The preoperative mean MMSE score in 34 patients was 25.3±3.3 and the postoperative score improved significantly to 26.2±3.3 points (p=0.04). The postoperative scores improved in the following items; MMSE (total score), picture completion subtest of WAIS-R, general memory, visual memory and delayed recall subtest of WMS-R. In the univariate analysis, the low score of MMSE (<24) was the factor contributed to the improvement of MMSE after CAS.
Conclusion: CAS has the potential for some improvement in cognitive and memory performance.
