[The effect of carotid endarterectomy on cognitive disturbances in patients with atherosclerotic stenosis of carotid arteries].

Clinical and neuropsychological features of non-dementia cognitive disturbances were studied in 102 patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. Cognitive disturbances were assessed after the carotid endarterectomy (CEAE). Mild cognitive impairment was found in 37 (36,3%) of patients, moderate cognitive impairment was diagnosed in 36 (35,3%)patients. Moderate cognitive impairment was found more often in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis with structural brain changes confirmed by neuroimaging data and with instable atherosclerotic plaques with the predomination of hypodensity component. It allows to suggest that both the reduction of perfusion and arterio-arterial microemboli may cause cognitive dysfunction in patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. The data on the positive effect of CEAE on cognitive functions have been obtained. The positive changes were more distinct in patients with asymptomatic course of carotid stenosis. However CEAE may have a negative effect on cognitive functions in patients with moderate cognitive impairment of dysmnestic character and symptomatic carotid stenosis.