[Changes in cognitive functions in patients with occlusive lesions of brachiocephalic arteries after reconstructive surgery on carotid arteries].

Seventy-six patients after the reconstructive surgery on carotid arteries underwent neuropsychological testing with the MMSE, the FAB, the Clock Drawing Test at baseline and 8-10 days and 3 months after the surgery. Patients were stratified into 3 groups: 20 patients with predominant lesions of one internal carotid artery (group 1), 22 patients with bilateral carotid stenosis (group 2) and 34 patients with the combination of lesions of carotid and vertebrobasilar system (group 3). The association between the rate of spreading of atherosclerotic processes in cerebral vessels and cognitive disorders was shown. The positive effect of reconstructive surgery on cognitive functions of patients was confirmed.