In patients undergoing coronary-artery bypass surgery (CABG) the presence of cognitive functions deficits is frequently observed. This procedure is also associated with a danger of appearance of depression and anxiety. As the above symptoms may coexist, the purpose of this study was to observe the presence of depression and anxiety symptoms before and after the operation, and their impact on the cognitive functioning of operated patients.

It included 50 subjects in whom the intensity of depression was assessed with the use of the Beck Scale (BDI), and the anxiety as state and trait was assessed with the use of STAI scale on 1 day before the operation and on 5-7 days after the operation. At the some time cognitive functions were assessed with the use of Vienna Test System (VTS).

The change of intensity of anxiety and depression and most of the analysed cognitive functions, except learning ability, was statistically significant. However the correlation of depressive and anxiety symptoms with the cognitive deficits achieved the level of significance only with the reference to attention disorders.

The achieved results show a considerable independence of the cognitive functions examination from the present emotional state in examined patients.

The development of operation techniques and care of the patients treated with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has an influence on the reduction of mortality, the frequency of post-operation myocardial infarctions and other important side-effects. Still a certain remaining problem are cognitive dysfunctions.

The purpose of this study was to the analysis of selected cognitive functions before the operation and shortly after the operation.

120 men aged below 65 were invited to the study. Finally 50 patients were recruited to the study, who underwent CABG with extra-corporeal circulation. The examined group consisted of 50 men with a mean age of 54.4 ± 5.6. 36% of the examined patients had a myocardial infraction in the past, 76% suffered from hypertension, 60% from diabetes. The cognitive assessment was done with a standardized Vienna Test System (VTS) battery. Following cognitive functions were examined visuo-spatial short-term memory (CORSI test), precise and continuous attention (COGNITRON), psychomotor speed and co-ordination (MLS test).

After the operation the visuo-spatial memory and continuous attention improved. The learning abilities did not change, and the psychomotor performance decreased. Statistically significant positive correlations were found referring to visuo-spatial memory and continuous attention before and after the operation.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with the use of extra-corporeal circulation in young men with no comorbid diseases aged below 65 has no significant impact on such cognitive functions like visuo-spatial memory, continuous attention and learning abilities. However the decrease of psychomotor performance was observed.