Change in behaviour and mood after open-heart / bypass surgery ?

[it-whiz]

In 2016, aged 53, I had my mitral-valve repaired and afterwards never felt, despite the reassurance from the surgeon and cardiologist, that my short-term memory and concentration recovered to anywhere near what they were pre-surgery.

I found that I could get muddled very easily, have moments where my mind / brain freezes and also as my wife describes it, I’ll hear something but cannot compute it.

The repair was necessary because of infective Endocarditis – was this the cause of any impairment to my memory or concentration? No one seems to be able to answer this?

In November 2019 I had my mitral-valve replaced and those changes are more pronounced this time around with me being especially irritable and snappy with my wife, which I hate even the thought of!

Since this last surgery she says it is rather like living with a 5-year-old autistic child, (having had a son with ADD) The only other way she can describe it is a loss of cognitive function, everyday tasks take longer to complete.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of change post bypass surgery? If so, have you been able to find any help, or have any suggestions?

[KirstyDC300]

My cognition and memory is worse since my PCI and I think it’s the medication. Has your changed?

[it-whiz in reply to KirstyDC300]

Thanks for your reply.

No, broadly my medication is the same. The only thing different post second surgery, is I'm taking Lercanidipine for blood pressure instead of a different one, which I can't remember or even find the name of.

[Blackcatsooty]

You have described pretty much spot on what the effects of a stroke can do to you.

But stroke is a permanent brain injury.

A valve replacement is not changing your brain, so any bad effects, including the medication, are all reversible.

I really do appreciate the horrors you are probably going through. But please accept things will change back again if you can let it. If you can smile endlessly and think positive thoughts then not only will recovery come sooner, but you will feel happier.

Best wishes

Colin

[it-whiz in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks Colin. We had never thought of it like that before.

Mark

[13allit]

Hi I had my mitral valve repaired in May 2018 and took part in a study being run from the hospital where I had MRI scans before and immediately after my op. They know that many people have bleeds in the brain as a result of heart surgery and the scan I had a few days after my op showed I’d had a few minor bleeds. I was told these usually healed themselves and weren’t serious. I have also struggled with memory problems and initially these were fairly frequently. I’d get part way through a sentence and then not know how to finish it. I could picture it in my head but not know the words. This has got better over time but if I’m ill, stressed or worried it does come back a bit. I’ve also found that I can’t multitask like I used to. Some people think it’s also due to being on the the bypass machine. Someone else posted similar problems and said they’d been referred to various clinics and was told to try and do more with the hand she didn’t usually use. It’s hard but worth a try. Hope it does get better and with things like this we have to rely of time being a great healer. I’m not on any medication so can’t explain it with that. Take care.

[it-whiz in reply to 13allit]

Thanks 13allit, that is really interesting. It is reassuring to know that I am not imagining these things.

Do you mind if I ask which hospital it was you were treated at as Im due to speak to my cardiologist later this morning?

thanks again

Mark

[13allit in reply to it-whiz]

I was in Leeds General Infirmary and that’s where the study was I was taking part I .

[it-whiz in reply to 13allit]

Thanks I appreciate that!

[13allit in reply to it-whiz]

Let us know how you get on.

[Smarticus]

Hi, after my surgery I also experienced these problems, I finaly found out about en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postp..., known as "pump head"after being on bypass. Personally i needed to write lots of lists and concentrate on one task at a time, most of all relaxing and avoiding stress. It does get better over time so try not to worry too much.

[it-whiz in reply to Smarticus]

I really appreciated that link as that article also included a link to Postoperative cognitive dysfunction as well,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posto...

which was as useful.

Thanks

Mark

[Ianc2]

The after effects of the powerful knock out gases they give you can take a long time to clear. I agree with Smarticus. Try and relax and enjoy the fact that you are still here. So you miss the odd word or phrase, or forget your pin no. So what. Enjoy the sunshine, the wind and rain and just being alive.