A controlled study of the effect of balanced general anaesthesia on cognitive functions in hypertensives on propranolol.

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of general anaesthesia (GA) on multiple dimensions of cognitive functioning in hypertensives on propranolol therapy (group A) in comparison to a control group (group B). Ten subjects in each group were administered a battery of six psychological cognitive tests pre- and post-intervention under GA. Both groups showed a significant decrement in memory scores on the 4th postoperative day which showed signs of recovery on seventh day (P < 0.05 for both groups). The group A patients were further compromised in one of the intelligence test scores (Standard progressive matrices) from the beginning (P < 0.05). Although this intergroup deficit persisted even on the 7th postoperative day (P < 0.05), no added effects of GA on this parameter was observed in group A (P > 0.05). In conclusion, GA induced transient memory deficit in both groups. This should be kept in mind while considering 'street fitness' following general anaesthesia.