“Memory Loss After Heart Surgery?” Asks Paige
I just received an interesting question about memory loss after heart valve surgery from Paige Mitchell of Virginia.
Paige writes, “Hi Adam, I had my aortic valve replaced in March, 2009. A few weeks later, I became agitated that I couldn’t remember peoples’ names, what I had just been doing, etc. I mentioned this to my cardiologist and he said this may happen as a side-effect due to anesthesia and the heart-lung machine lowering oxygen levels to the heart and brain during surgery. The cardiologist also said my memory loss would diminish over time. I’m 11 weeks post-op and still experiencing problems remembering. However, it is less than it was. Did you experience any of this? Thank you for writing your book and this blog! Paige”
While I never experienced any complications specific to memory loss, many patients report experiences of cognitive decline following heart surgery. In fact, this condition is often referred to as “pumphead” for the reasons that Paige provides above.
Interestingly enough, there is ongoing debate as to whether-or-not use of the heart-lung machine is really the source of memory loss after surgery.
Regardless… This post-operative condition does impact certain patients. For that reason, I have included several links below which provide additional information specific to pumphead and heart lung machines.
- Cardiac Depression & Pumphead
- Pumphead - Cognitive Decline After Heart Surgery
- More On The Debate Of Pumphead
- How Does The Heart Lung Machine Work?
I hope this helps you better understand memory loss after heart valve surgery.
Keep on tickin!
P.S. Did you have issues with memory loss after cardiac surgery? If so, please click here to leave a comment.
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
- Previous: Heart Valve Surgery For Both Mother & Daughter?
- Next: Off-Topic: Happy Father’s Day! It’s My First!
Email Friend
Leave Comment
Print
Subscribe
June 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Paige,
I experience the very same thing. I also had a dull headache that would not go away. My surgeon put me on Plavix and all of it went away. They would never say it is Pumphead syndrome but if you read about it, the symptoms are almost identical. It has been 9 months since my surgery and since being on Plavix and I haven’t had any of the signs of it again. But I also had my valve repaired not replaced.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Paige,
I wrote in to Adam previously asking the same question you did… I was told the same thing by several cardiologists that you were. I had the same surgery in December 2008 and I still have the memory loss. It just depends on the day. I was that way this past Friday. It really gets you down when you can’t carry on a conversation with anyone. I go back to the cardiologist this Tuesday and I’m going to mention it again and I still have memory loss. Thanks for taking time to share with us all.
June 20th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Paige,
My aortic valve and root replacement was in Aug., 2008, and I experienced some memory loss - especially people’s names! And my short-term memory seems to have suffered too. It has very gradually improved. I try to keep certain things in mind: 1. Even if I have some memory loss, at least my life has been extended due to the surgery. 2. There’s nothing we can do about it - except maybe keeping our brains active in various ways. 3. I couldn’t always remember things before the surgery, so perhaps now isn’t much different than before and it’s just that I pay more attention because I knew that memory loss was a possible side effect of the surgery. So, I just try to accept it and be thankful for all the years I have left because of the surgery. I wish you the best!
Sean
June 20th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
No doubt about it! I was wondering about the same thing. I attributed it to being 75 but perhaps there is something in this theory!
June 21st, 2009 at 11:36 am
Hi Paige,
My valve replacement was the end of January and I had, and still do to a lesser extent, the symptoms you described. But I had never heard of Pumphead. When I complained to my family that I had ‘changed’ they said I was just starting to get older (I’m 52). I joked that maybe I fried some brain cells while on the heart lung machine. Maybe my joke wasn’t that far off. The short term memory problem made my job as an Analyst very difficult. When I started back to work I took very detail notes on my work and conversations. While there are still times I have some difficulty it is nothing like it was 2 months ago. I’m pretty confident it will continue to improve. Thanks for asking Adam, made me feel better to know there was more to it then my imagination (or age).
Cindy
June 21st, 2009 at 5:51 pm
“pumphead” is my new favorite phrase !but seriously i definately suffer from that although its slowly getting better.my short term memory has been very poor lately. i often forget that i’ve said something and will repeat myself. the worst part ive noticed is writing or typing and putting the letters in the wrong order to form a word(im normally a very good speller), but this is the correct letters , just in the wrong order.it takes me twice as long to type sentences. jeffstoveken@yahoo.com
ps. is anyone else having difficulty maintaining their coumadin inr levels? jeff
June 21st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Paige, I had my aortic valve replaced on 2/13/09 and still experience instances of not being able to remember words, names and especially going to find an item in another part of the house and then not remembering what exactly I was going to get. In this case, I can usually bring it back into my mind if I stop myself, don’t get upset about forgetting and then focus on what is in that room that I might have wanted. Like most everyone else, it has gotten better with passage of time and I expect it will improve more. Not only could it be pumphead, but an awful lot of powerful drugs are pumped into your system and they can take months and months to totally leave. And, during the surgery alot of organs, nerves, etc. get moved around in your chest cavity and take time to get repositioned so that everything flows smoothly again. I would imagine that some things inside even have to find or develop new pathways, so it’s no wonder we forget a thing of two. I have always been a pretty good notemaker, but now there are 3 X 5 note pads everywhere around and I have trained myself to write things down…then you don’t feel so stupid because you can’t remember a simple thing.
Have faith, confidence or whatever you want to call it and your memory will come a long way back.
Remember, all of us are now survivors and we can survive this also. Oh, one more thing is to be honest with family and friends about not remembering and they can help out alot.
Midge
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:55 am
hi
I also have the same prob i am over a year post op things are getting better but slowly.
to jeff
i had prob controlling inr as food also plays a big part in the levals but i have settled down i would give it about a year as this will help level ouy with your life style.
fazilat
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am
I am 16 months post op from my Ross procedure and I still experience memory loss. Mine is typically short term…like I can’t remember what I was about to do…or why did I walk into the kitchen…etc. I’m hoping this will improve over time, but have also heard that it is somewhat normal.
Doug
Ross Procedure - 2/2008
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 am
I had my aortic valave replaced in February. Call it pumphead or whatever I have had memory and problem solving difficulties since then. It is getting better but very slowly. I keep reminding myself I am alive with a very healthy heart and a valve that is functioning better than my old one ! A little brain function is a small price to pay.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:38 am
My husband had his aortic valve replacement in 2005 and continues to have some memory problems and is sometimes overwhelmed by situations since his surgery. We hope that he will not experience more loss of memory after his next surgery.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I had my valve replaced on May 18 2009. My memory for the last 3 to 4 months has been erased. This may be worse than the physical pain. Confusion, and not being able to sleep are other side effects I’m experiencing. Even typing this now is taking way more consintration than normal. Although I have noticed a small gain in memory the last two weeks since I’ve rejected taking oxycodone and xanax, still this is an annoying side effect. I went from photographic memory to having huge black voids of memory. Yesterday I went to the vitamin store and bought a high grade, phyto based multi vitamin that I mix with Gatorade, hopefully this will help feed my brain. I will keep you posted.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Hi
My Mitral valve was replaced in April 2003 in London. I suffered dreadfull memory loss and confusion when my heart was reconnected. This all came back to normal soon after but I still forget more than I would expect to do
some 7 years later. The other symptom that may well be related is vivid
memory recovery of short experiences when I am not trying to recall anything in particular.
It is interesting to hear from you who have similar experiences.
Phillip