Persistence of visuo-constructional and executive deficits in adolescents after open-heart surgery

Adolescents with CHD demonstrated immature copy and recall approaches on the ROCFT using the qualitative system by Wallon and Mesmin (p < .001). Memory performance was also predicted by Bernstein and Waber scores (p < .03), whereas group differences were not significant according to the other scoring methods. Intelligence and visuomotor skills, but not surgery-related risk factors, were positively correlated with ROCFT performance (each p < .02). Interpretation: Visuoconstructional and executive deficiencies could be found in adolescent patients with CHD. However, not all ROCFT scoring methods were equally apt to detect group differences: especially the qualitative scoring method developed by Wallon and Mesmin seems sufficiently sensitive to detect long-lasting visuo-constructional and executive deficiencies in CHD patients.