Blog Topics - Learning About “Pump Head” and Cardiac Depression After Heart Surgery

I’ll never forget the first time I heard the phrase “Pumphead”. I was interviewing a former patient about her heart valve surgery experience for my book.

She was discussing the short-term mental impact of open heart bypass surgery. Specifically, she was remembering a challenging time during her recovery when she suffered from cardiac depression.

The former patient ended the discussion by saying, “Oh well. I guess I was just a pumphead.”

I did a double-take… “Pumphead?” I thought to myself, “What is pump head?”

It was easy for me to relate to the concept of cardiac depression. Following open heart surgery, I had my own, tough bout with the cardiac depression.

I immediately wondered, “Could it be that cardiac depression is caused by the heart-lung machine? Is that the pumphead stimulant?”

I did some research.

It turns out that researchers from Duke University were the first to document the existence of the post-operative condition, known as pumphead. The clinical term for pumphead is cognitive impairment after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

According to the Duke researchers, symptoms of pumphead include:

• difficulty in concentrating
• increased depression
• other noticeable changes in mental capabilities.

Can Pumphead be prevented?

Duke researchers have found that some elements of pumphead can be prevented using rewarming techniques.

According to the researchers, “Rewarming” is necessary because, during the surgery, while the patient is on cardiopulmonary bypass machine, the body is cooled significantly to help preserve the heart and brain.

Toward the end of the surgical procedure, the patient is rewarmed. It now appears possible that, if rewarmed too quickly, the brain’s need for oxygen temporarily outstrips the supply, leading to post-operative cognitive difficulties.

I hope this helps you better understand pumphead and cardiac depression.

Keep on tickin!

About The Author: [1] To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.