Neuropsychological performance in children after cardiac surgery

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There have been tremendous advances in our ability to perform palliative and even corrective surgery in children with congenital heart disease. Because of this, children with congenital heart disease are living longer, and it is now estimated that there are more adults than children with congenital heart disease. An important question is whether such children (and adults) have normal neurocognitive function after their surgery. In this issue, Miatton et al examine this question in a cohort of post-surgical patients 6–12 years after surgery. They found that minor motor deficits and subtle difficulty with language were common. Executive function and memory were also affected. It will be important to follow these children over a longer term and ultimately determine new ways of protecting and maximizing neuropsychological performance in these patients.

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