Cardiopulmonary bypass and neurologic dysfunction - Results from animal models

In summary, neurologic dysfunction following cardiac surgery remains a common and significant complication. An appropriate animal model is needed to further elucidate the mechanisms leading to these deficits and to screen potential neuroprotective drugs and strategies before their use in humans. However, history shows that drugs tested safe and effective in the lab are not always effective in human trials and raises the question about translational research. One needs to keep in mind that any preclinical study deals with animals and that the results of these animal studies require cautious interpretation. Nevertheless, these studies are important not only to improve our knowledge of the underlying mechanism but also to study safety concerns about potential neuroprotectants before advancing them into the clinical sphere.