Analysis of clinical features and postoperative cognitive function of 182 patients undergoing aortic valve surgery

CHENG Li; ZHANG Hui-xia; KONG Can; ZHANG Jia-rong; KE Xiao-qin

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-5301.2026.01.007

Abstract：Objective To investigate the clinical features of individuals receiving surgical intervention for aortic valve conditions,assess postoperative cognitive function levels,and identify the primary risk factors associated with postoperative cognitive impairment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 182 patients diagnosed with aortic valve disease who underwent surgical intervention at Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Hospital,between January 2021 and March 2024.These patients were categorized into two groups according to their cognitive function status six months after the surgery:one group exhibited normal cognitive function,while the other group showed cognitive impairment.The study examined the relationship between various variables and the development of cognitive dysfunction following surgery.Variables with a statistical significance of P<0.05 were subjected to both univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses to identify independent risk factors predisposing patients with aortic valve disease to postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Results At 6 months post-surgery,the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction among patients with aortic valve disease was 28.02%(51/182).Analysis of individual factors revealed significant variations in the prevalence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction among patients undergoing aortic valve surgery,depending on their age,body mass index,history of smoking,presence of hypertension,diabetes,European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation(EuroSCORE)risk score,duration of the surgical procedure,postoperative infection and cerebrovascular accident characteristics(P<0.05).Both univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses identified that age,smoking history,hypertension,diabetes,EuroSCORE score,duration of surgery and perioperative cerebrovascular accident as independent risk factors contributing to postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients with aortic valve disease(P<0.05).Conclusion Elderly patients with aortic valve disease,those with a history of smoking,concomitant hypertension and diabetes,a high EuroSCORE indicating increased surgical risk,and an extended operative time are at greater risk of developing cognitive impairment following surgical intervention.