Neurocognitive dysfunction post-cardiac surgery and the neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin.

Neurocognitive dysfunction is a common postoperative complication exacerbated by cardiopulmonary bypass triggering a systemic inflammatory response. This clinical column focuses on the up-regulation of endogenous erythropoietin related to neurological inflammation and the use of recombinant erythropoietin as a neuroprotective pharmacotherapeutic agent.