The impact of general versus local anesthesia on early subclinical cognitive function following carotid endarterectomy evaluated using P3 event-related potentials

Abstract

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is detected in 25% of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The mechanism of POCD is poorly understood, but it is believed that general anesthesia (GA) itself may contribute significantly to POCD.

The aim of our prospective study was to compare, with the aid of event-related potentials, the impact of general anesthesia (GA) and local anesthesia (LA) on POCD in patients undergoing CEA.

Keywords

• Carotid endarterectomy
• General anesthesia
• Local anesthesia
• Cognitive function
• Event-related potentials
• P300