European Society of Anaesthesiology evidence-based and consensus-based guideline on postoperative delirium

Machine Learning Algorithm Using Electronic Chart-Derived Data to Predict Delirium After Elderly Hip Fracture Surgeries: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Background: Elderly patients undergoing hip fracture repair surgery are at increased risk of delirium due to aging, comorbidities, and frailty. But current methods for identifying the high risk of delirium among hospitalized patients have moderate accuracy and require extra questionnaires. Artificial intelligence makes it possible to establish machine learning models that predict incident delirium risk based on electronic health data.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study on elderly patients (≥65 years of age) who received orthopedic repair with hip fracture under spinal or general anesthesia between June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2019. Anesthesia records and medical charts were reviewed to collect demographic, surgical, anesthetic features, and frailty index to explore potential risk factors for postoperative delirium. Delirium was assessed by trained nurses using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) every 12 h during the hospital stay. Four machine learning risk models were constructed to predict the incidence of postoperative delirium: random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoosting), support vector machine (SVM), and multilayer perception (MLP). K-fold cross-validation was deployed to accomplish internal validation and performance evaluation.

Results: About 245 patients were included and postoperative delirium affected 12.2% (30/245) of the patients. Multiple logistic regression revealed that dementia/history of stroke [OR 3.063, 95% CI (1.231, 7.624)], blood transfusion [OR 2.631, 95% CI (1.055, 6.559)], and preparation time [OR 1.476, 95% CI (1.170, 1.862)] were associated with postoperative delirium, achieving an area under receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.779, 95% CI (0.703, 0.856).

The accuracy of machine learning models for predicting the occurrence of postoperative delirium ranged from 83.67 to 87.75%. Machine learning methods detected 16 risk factors contributing to the development of delirium. Preparation time, frailty index uses of vasopressors during the surgery, dementia/history of stroke, duration of surgery, and anesthesia were the six most important risk factors of delirium.

Conclusion: Electronic chart-derived machine learning models could generate hospital-specific delirium prediction models and calculate the contribution of risk factors to the occurrence of delirium. Further research is needed to evaluate the significance and applicability of electronic chart-derived machine learning models for the detection risk of delirium in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture repair surgeries.

Risk factors and adverse clinical outcomes of postoperative delirium in Thai elderly patients: A prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence, risk factors, and adverse clinical outcomes of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 429 patients scheduled to undergo noncardiac surgery were recruited. Delirium was assessed using the confusion assessment method.

FINDINGS

The incidence of POD was 5.4%. Risk factors of POD were age over 70 years, an American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status 2 and 3, cognitive impairment, history of psychiatric illness, and preoperative hemoglobin ≤ 10 g/dl.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The correction of modifiable risk factors, the use of preventive strategies, and the monitoring of POD are advisable to improve the quality of perioperative care.

Risk factors for emergence agitation in adults after general anesthesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Emergence agitation (EA) is an adverse post-operative complication that increases the risk for injury, self-extubation, hemorrhages, and prolonged hospitalization. This meta-analysis aims to define the risk factors for adult EA after general anesthesia and provide recommendations for clinical practice.

METHODS

Embase, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library databases were comprehensive retrieved. Observational studies that reported the risk factors for adult EA were enrolled. Review Manager 5.4 was used to analyze the extracted data.

RESULTS

Eighteen observational studies involving 16, 678 adult patients were enrolled in this study. Eighteen pre-operative and nineteen intraoperative factors with unadjusted data, and five pre-operative and five intraoperative factors with adjusted data were meta-analyzed separately. Among them, seven factors (age, male, smoking, history of substance misuse, inhalational anesthesia, urinary catheter, complain of pain, or need analgesic drug use in post-anesthetic care unit) were the risk factors no matter meta-analyzed by unadjusted data or adjusted data. Intraoperative use of benzodiazepines was the risk factor when meta-analyzed by adjusted data, but not unadjusted data. Moreover, age and inhalational anesthesia were not the risk factors when omitted one study for sensitivity analysis, and history of substance misuse could not do sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSION

Based on this meta-analysis, male, smoking, urinary catheter, and post-operative pain are the risk factors, while age, inhalational anesthesia, history of substance misuse, and intraoperative use of benzodiazepines are the possible risk factors for adult EA.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

This systematic review and meta-analysis identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of agitation during emergence from general anesthesia. As might be expected, the strongest factors are generally things which are irritating or painful for patients, but cannot necessarily be avoided.

Association of preoperative frailty with postoperative delirium after elective brain tumor resection: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Preoperative frailty is associated with poor outcomes in major surgery. Postoperative delirium is common after neurosurgery. To date, the association of preoperative frailty with postoperative delirium after neurosurgery has not been established. We aimed to determine the association between preoperative frailty and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing elective brain tumor resection.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of a prospective cohort, consecutively enrolling adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit after elective craniotomy for brain tumor resection under general anesthesia in a tertiary hospital in China from March 1, 2017 to February 2, 2018. Preoperative frailty was evaluated using the modified frailty index. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium, assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to examine the association.

RESULTS

659 patients met inclusion criteria for our analysis. There were 398 (60.4%) non-frail (modified frailty index = 0), 237 (36.0%) pre-frail (modified frailty index = 1-2), and 24 (3.6%) frail (modified frailty index ≥ 3) patients. Of these, 124 (18.8%) developed postoperative delirium. In adjusted analyses, frailty was independently associated with postoperative delirium (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.0-2.7, P = .032). Frail patients had longer length of hospital stay and higher total costs than non-frail patients.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative frailty is associated with postoperative delirium, length of hospital stay, and total costs in patients undergoing elective brain tumor resection. Preoperative frailty assessment and appropriate management strategies should be involved in the perioperative management of postoperative delirium.

The adenosine A2A receptor alleviates postoperative delirium-like behaviors by restoring blood cerebrospinal barrier permeability in rats

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common post-operative complication in elderly patients that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the neuropathogenesis of this complication remains unknown. The blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB) and brain-blood barrier (BBB) are composed of tight junctions between cells that form physical barriers, and BBB damage plays an important role in the neuropathogenesis of POD. Nevertheless, the role of BCB in POD remains to be elucidated. Herein, we investigated the effect of adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2A R), a key regulator of the permeability of barriers, on surgery-induced increased permeability of BCB and POD-like behaviors. Open field, buried food, and Y maze tests were used to evaluate behavioral changes in rats after surgery. Levels of tight junction proteins, adherens junction proteins, A_2A R, GTP-RhoA, and ROCK2 in the choroid plexus were assessed by western blotting. The concentrations of NaFI and FITC-dextran in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were detected by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the ultrastructure of the choroid plexus. Surgery/anesthesia decreased the levels of tight junction (e.g., ZO-1, occludin, and claudin1) proteins, increased concentrations of NaFI and FITC-dextran in CSF, damaged the ultrastructure of choroid plexus, and induced POD-like behaviors in rats. An A_2A R antagonist alleviated POD-like behaviors in rats. Furthermore, the A_2A R antagonist increased the levels of tight junction proteins and restored the permeability of BCB in rats with POD. Fasudil, a selective Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) inhibitor, ameliorated POD-like behaviors induced by A_2A R activation. Moreover, fasudil also abolished the increased levels of GTP-RhoA/ROCK2, decreased levels of tight junction proteins, and increased permeability of BCB caused by A_2A R activation. Our findings demonstrate that A_2A R might participate in regulating BCB permeability in rats with POD via the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway, which suggests the potential of A_2A R as a therapeutic target for POD.

[Perioperative Medicine in Visceral Surgery in the Elderly Patient from an Anaesthesiological Perspective]

Demographic change is leading to an increasing number of old patients both in our society and in hospitals. With increasing age, not only the number of pre-existing conditions increases, but also the postoperative complication rate and mortality. Ultimately, however, it is not age that is decisive, but the condition of the patient and his or her capacity to face the physical and mental challenges of a surgical procedure. Frail patients are particularly at risk of complications, and an essential strategy - known as prehabilitation - is to put them in a better state pre-operatively through physical and mental training, as well as nutritional counselling. Delirium is one of the most frequent postoperative complications. Measures such as refraining from premedication with benzodiazepines, measuring the depth of anaesthesia, refraining from long-acting opioids, performing fast-track surgery, and providing glasses/hearing aids quickly postoperatively can reduce the risk of delirium. Close interdisciplinary consultation between surgeons, anaesthetists, geriatricians and physiotherapists is essential to coordinate the perioperative procedure and reduce the perioperative risk for elderly patients.

Development of an early prediction model for postoperative delirium in neurosurgical patients admitted to the ICU after elective craniotomy (E-PREPOD-NS): A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a significant clinical problem in neurosurgical patients after intracranial surgery. Identification of high-risk patients may optimize perioperative management, but an adequate risk model for use at early phase after operation has not been developed. In the secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study, 800 adult patients admitted to the ICU after elective intracranial surgeries were included. The POD was diagnosed as Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU positive on postoperative day 1 to 3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop early prediction model (E-PREPOD-NS) and the final model was validated with 200 bootstrap samples. The incidence of POD in this cohort was19.6%. We identified nine variables independently associated with POD in the final model: advanced age (OR 3.336, CI 1.765-6.305, 1 point), low education level (OR 2.528, 1.446-4.419, 1), smoking history (OR 2.582, 1.611-4.140, 1), diabetes (OR 2.541, 1.201-5.377, 1), supra-tentorial lesions (OR 3.424, 2.021-5.802, 1), anesthesia duration > 360 min (OR 1.686, 1.062-2.674, 0.5), GCS < 9 at ICU admission (OR 6.059, 3.789-9.690, 1.5), metabolic acidosis (OR 13.903, 6.248-30.938, 2.5), and neurosurgical drainage tube (OR 1.924, 1.132-3.269, 0.5). The area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) of the risk score for prediction of POD was 0.865 (95% CI 0.835-0.895). The AUROC was 0.851 after internal validation (95% CI 0.791-0.912). The model showed good calibration. The E-PREPOD-NS model can predict POD in patients admitted to the ICU after elective intracranial surgery with good accuracy. External validation is needed in the future.

Subjective Cognitive Decline May Be Associated With Post-operative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Replacement: The PNDABLE Study

Objective: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is associated with an increased risk of clinical cognitive disorders. Post-operative delirium (POD) is a common complication after total hip replacement. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SCD and POD in patients undergoing total hip replacement. Methods: Our study recruited 214 cognitively intact individuals from the Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder And Biomarker Lifestyle (PNDABLE) study in the final analysis. SCD was diagnosed with Subjective Cognitive Decline Scale (SCDS), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The incidence of POD was evaluated by using Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), and POD severity was measured by using the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). Preoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ40, Aβ42, T-tau, and P-tau levels were measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Overall, the incidence of POD was 26.64% (57/214), including 32.43% (36/111) in the SCD group and 20.39% (21/103) in the NC group. With the increase of age, the incidence of POD in all age groups increased (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for SCD, Aβ42, Aβ40, P-tau, and T-tau, SCD (OR 2.32, CI 1.18-4.55, P = 0.01) and the increased CSF level of P-tau (OR 1.04, CI 1.01-1.06, P < 0.001) were risk factors for POD, while the level of aβ42 (OR 0.99, CI 0.99-1.00, P < 0.001) was a protective factor for POD. Conclusion: SCD is one of the preoperative risk factors for POD. Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered at China Clinical Trial Registry (Chictr200033439).

Impaired Executive Function and Depression as Independent Risk Factors for Reported Delirium Symptoms: An Observational Cohort Study Over 8 Years

BACKGROUND

Acute medical illnesses, surgical interventions, or admissions to hospital in older individuals are frequently associated with a delirium. In this cohort study, we investigated the impact of specific cognitive domains and depression before the occurrence of delirium symptoms in an 8-year observation of older non-hospitalized individuals.

METHODS

In total, we included 807 participants (48-83 years). Deficits in specific cognitive domains were measured using the CERAD test battery, and depressive symptoms were measured using Beck Depression Inventory and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) before the onset of a delirium. Delirium symptoms were retrospectively assessed by a questionnaire based on the established Nursing Delirium Screening Scale.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight of eight hundred seven participants (7.2%) reported delirium symptoms over the 8-year course of the study. Sixty-nine percent (n = 40) of reported delirium symptoms were related to surgeries. In multivariate regression analysis, impaired executive function was an independent risk factor (p = 0.034) for the occurrence of delirium symptoms. Furthermore, age (p = 0.014), comorbidities [captured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)] (p < 0.001), and depression (p = 0.012) were significantly associated with reported delirium symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Especially prior to elective surgery or medical interventions, screening for impaired executive function and depression could be helpful to identify patients who are at risk to develop delirium symptoms.

Comparative effectiveness of pharmacological interventions to prevent postoperative delirium: a network meta-analysis

Many pharmacologic agents were investigated for the effect to prevent delirium. We aimed to comprehensively compare the effect of the pharmacological interventions to prevent postoperative delirium. A Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized trials was performed using random effects model. PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase were searched on 20 January 2021. Randomized trials comparing the effect of a drug to prevent postoperative delirium with another drug or placebo in adult patients undergoing any kind of surgery were included. Primary outcome was the postoperative incidence of delirium. Eighty-six trials with 26,992 participants were included. Dexmedetomidine, haloperidol, and atypical antipsychotics significantly decreased the incidence of delirium than placebo [dexmedetomidine: odds ratio 0.51, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.40-0.66, moderate quality of evidence (QOE); haloperidol: odds ratio 0.59, 95% CrI 0.37-0.95, moderate QOE; atypical antipsychotics: odds ratio 0.27, 95% CrI 0.14-0.51, moderate QOE]. Dexmedetomidine and atypical antipsychotics had the highest-ranking probabilities to be the best. However, significant heterogeneity regarding diagnostic time window as well as small study effects precludes firm conclusion.

Is preoperative balloon aortic valvuloplasty of interest for severe aortic stenosis in hip fracture surgery?

PURPOSE

In elderly patients, the discovery and management of a severe aortic stenosis (AS) prior to emergency non-cardiac surgery is a frequent and controversial issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate preoperative balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) for severe AS in hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, monocentric, retrospective study from 2011 to 2018. Survival (30-day, 90-day and 180-day mortality) and the occurrence of perioperative complications were analyzed and compared between control (i.e. no BAV prior to surgery) and preoperative BAV groups in patients with hip fracture surgery and a formal transthoracic echocardiographic diagnosis of severe AS (aortic valve area < 1 cm²). Patients' allocation to the intervention and control groups was after a discussion between cardiologist, anesthesiologist and the surgeon.

RESULTS

Among the 8506 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery, 29 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the BAV group were finally included. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in mortality in the BAV group (p=0.014) despite an increase in median time to operation of about 48 hours (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis (stepwise logistic regression) showed that postoperative delirium (OR [95%CI]: 17.5 [1.8-168]; p=0.013) and postoperative acute congestive heart failure (OR [95%CI]: 59.4 [5.0-711.1]; p=0.0013) were predictive factors of 30-day mortality with an area under ROC curve of 0.90 (95%CI: 0.80-0.97; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

preoperative BAV for severe AS could reduce the mortality of hip fracture patients despite an increase in time to operation. This improved survival could be linked to the decrease in cardiologic and neurologic adverse events. A larger prospective randomized study is necessary before generalizing our results.

A survey about postoperative delirium in older patients among nurses and anaesthetists: implications for future practice and policy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium is a major complication associated with anaesthesia and surgery, more commonly seen in older people.

AIMS

The aims of this study were to explore the knowledge and understanding of anaesthetists and nurses involved in anaesthesia through their responses to two case scenarios of postoperative delirium experienced by older people.

METHODS

A 30-item online survey was sent to 500 potential respondents.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-six practitioners from Australia, New Zealand and Scotland responded. Most had no workplace protocols for anaesthesia planning in older people. There was substantial variability in practice in relation to postoperative delirium screening, detection, prevention and management.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvements in education and awareness, together with a more coherent approach, for example, as recommended in the European Society of Anaesthesiology Guidelines, could help to reduce the impact of postoperative delirium in older people. This should be combined with ongoing research into perioperative optimisation of detection, prevention and management of postoperative delirium.

Plasma interleukin-6 is a potential predictive biomarker for postoperative delirium among acute type a aortic dissection patients treated with open surgical repair

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between inflammatory cytokines and postoperative delirium (POD) remains to be further investigated, especially in patients undergoing acute type A aortic dissection (AAD). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in the inflammatory process and has recently been identified as a biomarker of cerebral dysfunction. We explored the hypothesis that IL-6 was one of the critical causes of POD after surgical repair of AAD.

METHODS

Plasma IL-6 was measured using electrochemiluminescence technology in patients preoperatively and 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection. After the first three postoperative days, delirium was evaluated twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method. ROC curves were used to evaluate the ability of IL-6 measurements to distinguish POD.

RESULTS

The incidence of POD was 14.03% (31 of 221 patients). The patients in the POD group were significantly older than the patients in the non-POD group (56.48 ± 11.68 years vs 52.22 ± 10.50 years, P = 0.040). Plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in the POD group than in the non-POD group at three time points: preoperatively, after 24 h, and after 48 h. The AUC values corresponding to IL-6 preoperatively and 24 h after surgery were 0.73 and 0.72, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebral dysfunction after the surgical repair of AAD shows elevated stress levels and inflammatory responses. Plasma IL-6 is a potential biomarker to predict the onset of POD in acute type A aortic dissection patients following surgical repair.

Spinal block and delirium in oncologic patients after laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position: A randomized controlled trial

Delirium is the most common postsurgical neurological complication and has a variable incidence rate. Laparoscopic surgery, when associated with the Trendelenburg position, can cause innumerable physiological changes and increase the risk of neurocognitive changes. The association of general anesthesia with a spinal block allows the use of lower doses of anesthetic agents for anesthesia maintenance and facilitates better control over postoperative pain. Our primary outcome was to assess whether a spinal block influences the incidence of delirium in oncologic patients following laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position. Our secondary outcome was to analyze whether there were other associated factors. A total of 150 oncologic patients who underwent elective laparoscopic surgeries in the Trendelenburg position were included in this randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: the general anesthesia group and the general anesthesia plus spinal block group. Patients were immediately evaluated during the postoperative period and monitored until they were discharged, to rule out the presence of delirium. Delirium occurred in 29 patients in total (22.3%) (general anesthesia group: 30.8%; general anesthesia plus spinal block: 13.8% p = 0.035). Patients who received general anesthesia had a higher risk of delirium than patients who received general anesthesia associated with a spinal block (odds ratio = 3.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.2–9.6; p = 0.020). Spinal block was associated with reduced delirium incidence in oncologic patients who underwent elective laparoscopic surgeries in the Trendelenburg position.

Postoperative Delirium is Not Associated with Long-Term Decline in Activities of Daily Living or Mortality After Laryngectomy

Purpose

To determine the relationships between postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative activities of daily living (ADL) and mortality in patients undergoing laryngectomy. We hypothesized that POD would reduce postoperative ADL and increase postoperative mortality.

Patients and Methods

The prospective study included older participants (age ≥65 y) undergoing total laryngectomy, partial laryngectomy, total laryngectomy plus neck dissection, or partial laryngectomy plus neck dissection under general anesthesia. The diagnosis of delirium was based on the Confusion Assessment Method algorithm, which was administered on postoperative days 1 through 6. ADL were evaluated using the Chinese version of the Index of ADL scale. Follow-up assessments of ADL and mortality were conducted 24 months after surgery.

Results

Of 127 participants (aged 70.3 ± 4.1 y), 19 (15.0%) developed POD. POD was not associated with a decrease in ADL after laryngectomy (p=0.599) nor with an increase in postoperative mortality [3/19 (15.8%) vs 12/108 (11.1%), p=0.560, Log rank test]. However, longer surgery duration was significantly associated with worse overall survival (OR, 3.262; 95% CI, 1.261–9.169, p=0.025).

Conclusion

POD was not associated with long-term ADL or mortality after laryngectomy. Prolonged surgery was the only factor associated with a higher postoperative mortality rate.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on neurocognitive disturbance after elective non-cardiac surgery in senile patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Senile patients often experience neurocognitive disturbance after non-cardiac surgery. Several clinical trials have investigated if the perioperative intravenous use of dexmedetomidine has a positive effect on the prevention of neurocognitive dysfunction, but the results have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on neurocognitive disturbance after elective non-cardiac surgery in senile patients.

METHODS

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were comprehensively searched for all randomized controlled trials published before 1 February 2020 that investigated the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in the prevention of postoperative delirium (POD) or postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

RESULTS

Sixteen studies involving 4376 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control (i.e., saline), the perioperative intravenous use of dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the incidence of POD and POCD. However, patients in the dexmedetomidine group were more likely to develop bradycardia and hypotension during the administration of dexmedetomidine than patients in the control group. There were no differences between the two groups in the incidence of nausea and vomiting or mortality rate.

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine has a positive effect on the prevention of neurocognitive disturbance in senile patients after elective non-cardiac surgery.

Malnutrition is not related with emergence delirium in older patients after noncardiac surgery

Background

Delirium is one of the most common complications in older surgical patients. Although previous studies reported that preoperative malnutrition was related with postoperative delirium (POD), there was lack of evidence to illustrate the relationship between malnutrition and emergency delirium (ED). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative malnutrition and ED in older patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Methods

The study was carried out in accordance with STROBE guidelines. This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. Older patients (65–90 years) who underwent noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in Peking University First Hospital.

Results

915 patients were enrolled. The incidence of malnutrition was 53.6 % (490/915). The incidence of emergency delirium was 41.8 % (205/490) in malnutrition group and 31.5 % (134/425) in control group, P < 0.001. After adjusting confounding factors (i.e., age, cognitive impairment, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA), duration of surgery, pain score, low body temperature and allogeneic blood transfusion), malnutrition was not associated with increased risk of emergency delirium (OR = 1.055, 95 % CI 0.767–1.452, P = 0.742).

Conclusions

Malnutrition was common in older patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, but it’s not related with emergence delirium after adjusted for confounders.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) (ChiCTR-OOC-17,012,734).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02270-2.

The influence of age on EEG-based anaesthesia indices

STUDY OBJECTIVE

In the upcoming years there will be a growing number of elderly patients requiring general anaesthesia. As age is an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium (POD) the incidence of POD will increase concordantly. One approach to reduce the risk of POD would be to avoid excessively high doses of anaesthetics by using neuromonitoring to guide anaesthesia titration. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of patient's age on various electroencephalogram (EEG)-based anaesthesia indices.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

We conducted an analysis of previously published data by replaying single electrode EEG episodes of maintenance of general anaesthesia from 180 patients (18-90 years; ASA I-IV) into the five different commercially available monitoring systems and evaluated their indices. We included the State/Response Entropy, Narcotrend, qCON/qNOX, bispectral index (BIS), and Treaton MGA-06. For a non-commercial comparison, we extracted the spectral edge frequency (SEF) from the BIS. To evaluate the influence of the age we generated linear regression models. We also assessed the correlation between the various indices.

MAIN RESULTS

During anaesthetic maintenance the values of the SEF, State/Response Entropy, qCON/qNOX and BIS all significantly increased (0.05 Hz/0.19-0.26 index points per year) with the patient's age (p < 0.001); whereas the Narcotrend did not change significantly with age (0.06 index points per year; p = 0.28). The index values of the Treaton device significantly decreased with age (-0.09 index points per year; p < 0.001). These findings were independent of the administered dose of anaesthetics.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost all current neuromonitoring devices are influenced by age, with the potential to result in inappropriately high dosage of anaesthetics. Therefore, anaesthesiologists should be aware of this phenomenon, and the next generation of monitors should correct for these changes.

Multi-Component Care Bundle in Geriatric Fracture Hip for Reducing Post-Operative Delirium

Background:

Delirium in elderly orthopaedic patients poses an enormous medical, social and financial burden to the healthcare system, and causes significant distress to patients and their caregivers. We examined whether a Multi-component Care Bundle (MCB) could reduce the incidence of post-operative delirium (POD) in fractured hip patients.

Methods:

An observational study was conducted, analyzing 154 patients (mean age ± SD, 85 ± 7.8, 68% women) admitted to Queen Mary Hospital with hip fracture. Half of the patients were cared for in the control group before MCB was introduced, which included installation of orientation aids, introduction of a Caregiver Empowerment Program, and incorporation of ultrasound-guided Fascia Iliaca Block (FIB) into the analgesia protocol.

Results:

There were fewer patients with POD in the MCB group, compared with the control group (18/76, 23.4% v 34/76, 44.2%, p = 0.006). Patients in MCB group consumed less opioid ( 4/77 v 13/77, p = 0.048), experienced less post-operative dizziness (2/77, 2.6% v 13/77, 16.9%, p = 0.003) and had a shorter median day to start walking post-operatively (day 1 [IQR 1-2] vs day 2 [IQR 2-3]; p = 0.001) than the control group. Length of stay was not affected.

Conclusion:

MCB effectively reduces POD, postoperative dizziness, opioid consumption, and days to start mobilization postoperatively.

The effect of peri-operative dexmedetomidine on the incidence of postoperative delirium in cardiac and non-cardiac surgical patients: a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Delirium occurs commonly following major non-cardiac and cardiac surgery and is associated with: postoperative mortality; postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction; increased length of hospital stay; and major postoperative complications and morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peri-operative administration of dexmedetomidine on the incidence of postoperative delirium in non-cardiac and cardiac surgical patients. In this randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial we included 63 patients aged ≥ 60 years undergoing major open abdominal surgery or coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium, as screened for with the Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium assessment was performed twice daily until postoperative day 5, at the time of discharge from hospital or until postoperative day 14. We found that dexmedetomidine was associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative delirium within the first 5 postoperative days, 43.8% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.038. Severity of delirium, screened with the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist, was comparable in both groups, with a mean maximum score of 1.54 vs. 1.68, p = 0.767. No patients in the dexmedetomidine group died while five (15.6%) patients in the placebo group died, p = 0.029. For patients aged ≥ 60 years undergoing major cardiac or non-cardiac surgery, we conclude that the peri-operative administration of dexmedetomidine is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative delirium.

Sleep Well and Recover Faster with Less Pain-A Narrative Review on Sleep in the Perioperative Period

Sleep disturbance, pain, and having a surgical procedure of some kind are all very likely to occur during the average lifespan. Postoperative pain continues to be a prevalent problem and growing evidence supports the association between pain and sleep disturbances. The bidirectional nature of sleep and pain is widely acknowledged. A decline in sleep quality adds a risk for the onset of pain and also exacerbates existing pain. The risk factors for developing insomnia and experiencing severe pain after surgery are quite similar. The main aim of this narrative review is to discuss why it is important to be aware of sleep disturbances both before and after surgery, to know how sleep disturbances should be assessed and monitored, and to understand how better sleep can be supported by both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Anaesthesia for the elderly: a narrative review

As octogenarians in the operation room are no longer an exemption but the norm, perioperative management needs to be adopted to meet the special requirements of this group of patients. Anaesthesia does not need to be re-invented to fit the elderly. However, as elderly patients are among those most affected by adverse postoperative outcomes, the same diligence that is as a matter of course exercised in anaesthesiologic care of the youngest patients needs to be exercised for the eldest as well. Aging is associated with characteristic physiologic changes and an overall reduction in compensation width. However, the individual relevance of these changes varies distinctly. A comprehensive preoperative assessment is therefore essential to identify those at high risk. Maintaining functionality and preventing cognitive decline are central elements of perioperative care for frail elders, often only requiring unspectacular, but effective adjustments to established routine care processes. This review focuses on current recommendations in the perioperative anaesthesiologic management of elderly patients with a view towards assisting clinical anaesthesiologists in implementing respective structures in their setting and adjusting care pathways to meet the needs of this vulnerable but growing group of patients and improve their postoperative outcome.

Preoperative medication use and development of postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction

Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative (neuro‐)cognitive disorder (POCD) are frequent and serious complications after operations. We aim to investigate the association between pre‐operative polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications and the development of POD/POCD in elderly patients. This investigation is part of the European BioCog project (www.biocog.eu), a prospective multicenter observational study with elderly surgical patients. Patients with a Mini‐Mental State Examination score less than or equal to 23 points were excluded. POD was assessed up to 7 days after surgery using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, Confusion Assessment Method (for the intensive care unit [ICU]), and a patient chart review. POCD was assessed 3 months after surgery with a neuropsychological test battery. Pre‐operative long‐term medication was evaluated in terms of polypharmacy (≥5 agents) and potentially inappropriate medication (defined by the PRISCUS and European list of potentially inappropriate medications [EU(7)‐PIM] lists), and associations with POD and POCD were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Eight hundred thirty‐seven participants were included for analysis of POD and 562 participants for POCD. Of these, 165 patients (19.7%) fulfilled the criteria of POD and 60 (10.7%) for POCD. After adjusting for confounders, pre‐operative polypharmacy and intake of potentially inappropriate medications could not be shown to be associated with the development of POD nor POCD. We found no associations between pre‐operative polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications and development of POD and POCD. Future studies should focus on the evaluation of drug interactions to determine whether patients benefit from a pre‐operative adjustment.

Dexmedetomidine for prevention of postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing oesophagectomy with total intravenous anaesthesia: A double-blind, randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Dexmedetomidine is known to be a sedative. Recent studies suggest that administration of dexmedetomidine can prevent postoperative delirium (POD) which has been confirmed as a common complication after major surgery. However, its effects in patients undergoing oesophagectomy are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in reducing POD in elderly patients after transthoracic oesophagectomy with total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA).

DESIGN

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Single-centre, tertiary care hospital, November 2016 to September 2018.

PATIENTS

Eligible patients (n = 177) undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy were randomly assigned to receive total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA, n = 87) or dexmedetomidine with TIVA (DEX-TIVA, n = 90).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients receiving DEX-TIVA received a loading dose of dexmedetomidine (0.4 μg kg-1), over 15 min, followed by a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.1 μg kg-1 h-1 until 1 h before the end of surgery. Patients receiving TIVA received physiological saline with a similar infusion rate protocol.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the incidence of POD. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of emergence agitation, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and haemodynamic profile.

RESULTS

All randomised patients were included with planned intention-to-treat analyses for POD. Delirium occurred in 15 (16.7%) of 90 cases given dexmedetomidine, and in 32 (36.8%) of 87 cases given saline (P = 0.0036). The DEX-TIVA group showed less frequent emergence agitation than the TIVA group (22.1 vs. 48.0%, P = 0.0058). The incremental change in surgery-induced IL-6 levels was greater in the TIVA group than DEX-TIVA group (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Adding peri-operative dexmedetomidine to a total intravenous anaesthetic safely reduces POD and emergence agitation in elderly patients undergoing open transthoracic oesophagectomy. These benefits were associated with a postoperative reduction in circulating levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and stabilisation of the haemodynamic profile.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trials Register Identifier: ChiCTR-IPR-17010881.

Effects of comprehensive geriatric care models on postoperative outcomes in geriatric surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The elderly population is highly susceptible to develop post-operative complications after major surgeries. It is not clear whether the comprehensive geriatric care models are effective in reducing adverse events. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine whether the comprehensive geriatric care models improved clinical outcomes, particularly in decreasing the prevalence of delirium and length of hospital stay (LOS) in elderly surgical patients.

Method

We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Emcare Nursing, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials. Gov, and ICTRP between 2009 to January 23, 2020. We included studies on geriatric care models in elderly patients (≥60 years) undergoing elective, non-cardiac high-risk surgery. The outcomes were the prevalence of delirium, LOS, rates of 30-days readmission, and 30-days mortality. We used the Cochrane Review Manager Version 5.3. to estimate the pooled Odds Ratio (OR) and Mean Difference (MD) using random effect model analysis.

Results

Eleven studies were included with 2672 patients [Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs): 4; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials (Non-RCTs): 7]. Data pooled from six studies showed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of delirium between the intervention and control groups: 13.8% vs 15.9% (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.30–1.96; p = 0.57). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the LOS (MD: -0.55; 95% CI: − 2.28, 1.18; p = 0.53), 30-day readmission (12.1% vs. 14.3%; OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.67–1.77; p = 0.73), and 30-day mortality (3.2% vs. 2.1%; OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.66–2.69; p = 0.42). The quality of evidence was very low.

Conclusions

The geriatric care models involved pre-operative comprehensive geriatric assessment, and intervention tools to address cognition, frailty, and functional status. In non-cardiac high-risk surgeries, these care models did not show any significant difference in the prevalence of delirium, LOS, 30-days readmission rates, and 30-day mortality in geriatric patients. Further RCTs are warranted to evaluate these models on the postoperative outcomes.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration number - CRD42020181779.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-021-01337-2.

Prevention of postoperative delirium through the avoidance of potentially inappropriate medications in a geriatric surgical patient

We demonstrate the utility of risk stratification for postoperative delirium in geriatric patients and show that postoperative delirium can be prevented in high-risk patients when potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) (medications that are best avoided in older adults) are avoided. In this case, a 65-year-old woman underwent two debridement procedures with similar presurgical risk for postoperative delirium. There was no risk stratification or preoperative cognitive assessment in the first procedure, she received PIMs and developed postoperative delirium. In the second procedure, PIMs were intentionally avoided and postoperative delirium did not occur. This case supports recent recommendations from the European Society of Anaesthesiology, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Geriatrics Society that providers assess a patient's cognitive function and delirium risk profile preoperatively to appropriately guide perioperative management.

Depression as a predictor of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Depression is common in patients with cardiac disease. The importance of preoperative depression for development of postoperative delirium (POD) following cardiac surgery is not well known. The aim is to provide a summary estimate of depression as a predictor of POD following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

Systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection and Psycinfo (Ovid) was performed from inception to October 2019, including cohort studies reporting odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for POD following cardiac surgery in patients with preoperative depression compared to patients without depression. ORs and 95% CIs for POD were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included with a combined study population of 2066 patients. The pooled prevalence of POD in the combined study population was 26% and preoperative depression was present in ∼9% of the total study population. All studies showed a positive association between preoperative depression and POD; and in 5 studies, the association was statistically significant. Patients with depression had a pooled OR of 2.31 (95% CI 1.37-3.90) for POD.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis confirm the findings that the previous association between preoperative depression and increased risk for developing POD reported for other patient groups is found also in cardiac surgery. Depression screening prior to cardiac surgery may be effective in identifying patients at higher risk for POD.

Emergence delirium in children: a Brazilian survey

Background

Pediatric emergence delirium is characterized by a disturbance of a child’s awareness during the early postoperative period that manifests as disorientation, altered attention and perception. The incidence of emergence delirium varies between 18% and 80% depending on risk factors and how it is measured. Reports from Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and France demonstrated a wide range of preventive measures and definitions, indicating that there is a lack of clarity regarding emergence delirium. We aimed to assess the practices and beliefs among Brazilian anesthesiologists regarding emergence delirium.

Methods

A web-based survey was developed using REDCap®. A link and QR Code were sent by email to all Brazilian anesthesiologists associated with the Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA).

Results

We collected 671 completed questionnaires. The majority of respondents (97%) considered emergence delirium a relevant adverse event. Thirty-two percent of respondents reported routinely administrating medication to prevent emergence delirium, with clonidine (16%) and propofol (15%) being the most commonly prescribed medications. More than 70% of respondents reported a high level of patient and parent anxiety, a previous history of emergence delirium, and untreated pain as risk factors for emergence delirium. Regarding treatment, thirty-five percent of respondents reported using propofol, followed by midazolam (26%).

Conclusion

Although most respondents considered emergence delirium a relevant adverse event, only one-third of them routinely applied preventive measures. Clonidine and propofol were the first choices for pharmacological prevention. For treatment, propofol and midazolam were the most commonly prescribed medications.

Surveying work-as-done in post-operative delirium risk factors collection and diagnosis monitoring

Post-operative delirium (POD) is a health hazard condition for the patients and it is associated with increased costs for the healthcare system. Following a system-theoretic approach, firstly a model, then a questionnaire, have been designed to probe the collective awareness about POD throughout the entire patient's perioperative pathway. The 58 reported answers pointed out that most of the information, specifically associated with POD, are routinely recorded but not used to stratify the patients' individual risk to develop POD. The results suggest the need for design a new socio-technical role within modern health care systems: the POD analyst. A Systems-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) model is proposed both to propel the awareness about POD and as a template for future POD risk factors collections.

Effect of different administration and dosage of dexmedetomidine in the reduction of emergence agitation in children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with sequential trial analysis

BACKGROUND

Beneficial effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) against emergence agitation (EA) in children remain controversial. We performed a more comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the protective effect of different administration routes, timing, patterns, and doses of DEX on EA in children.

METHODS

The randomized controlled trials about DEX preventing EA in children were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Sciences up to October 7, 2020. The traditional meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were performed to study the influence of DEX on EA in children. The sequential trial analysis (TSA) further analyzed the pooled results to evaluate meta-analyses' robustness. Grading of recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess evidence quality.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven studies with 5,688 pediatric patients were included. DEX significantly decreased EA in children compared to placebo [RR 0.29, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.25-0.34] and midazolam (RR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.25-0.45), with firm evidence from TSA. Notably, using DEX significantly reduced severe EA incidence (RR 0.23, 95% CI: 0.16-0.32), with firm evidence by TSA and high quality of GRADE. Pre-specified subgroup analyses revealed firm and high-quality evidence for a reduction of EA, only if the perineural route administers DEX (RR 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-0.41), as premedication (RR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.20-0.36), as continuous dosage (RR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.18-0.33), at high dose (RR 0.24, 95% CI: 0.18-0.31). The pooled results also showed that DEX reduced the incidence of PONV compared to placebo (RR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.33-0.55). Evidence for DEX's influence on other secondary outcomes (emergence time, time in PACU, rescue analgesia, hypotension, and bradycardia) is insufficient to draw any conclusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm the beneficial effects of DEX on EA, severe EA, and PONV in children. There was firm and high-quality evidence for the efficacy of DEX in preventing EA in children when perineural routes administered DEX, as premedication, as continuous dosage, and at a high dose. The best dose, route, patterns, and timing of DEX and influence on other outcomes call for further studies.

Effects of Preoperative Anxiety on Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Orthopedic Surgery: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is common and has negative effects on elderly patients. There is a critical need to identify patients at high risk of POD so that providers can better offer targeted interventions in the preoperative and intraoperative periods. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and investigate whether preoperative anxiety predicted the onset of POD in elderly patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of elderly patients (aged 65 years or older) undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A), with clinically significant values defined as HADS-A>7. POD was diagnosed according to the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) criteria on the 5 postoperative days. To determine the independent risk factors for POD, multivariable logistic regression was conducted, including those variables with a p-value <0.05 at univariate analysis.

Results

There were 263 patients included in the study. Seventy-three (27.8%) patients were diagnosed to be POD. Median duration of delirium was 2 days. Forty (15.2%) patients were assessed to experience preoperative anxiety. The occurrence of preoperative anxiety in total hip arthroplasty (THA), proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was 12.5%, 16.1%, and 19.5%, respectively. Based on multivariable analysis, only age (odds ratio [OR]= 1.099, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.013–1.192; P=0.023), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (OR= 0.603, 95% CI: 0.432–0.842; P=0.003) and preoperative anxiety (OR= 3.119, 95% CI: 1.144–8.500; P=0.026) were independently associated with POD.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current study reveals that preoperative anxiety helps to predict the risk of POD in elderly patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Relieving preoperative anxiety could be a new target for preventive interventions to reduce POD.

High Incidence of Epileptiform Potentials During Continuous EEG Monitoring in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Objective: To analyze continuous 1- or 2-channel electroencephalograms (EEGs) of mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with regard to occurrence of epileptiform potentials. Design: Single-center retrospective analysis. Setting: Intensive care unit of Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Patients: Critically ill COVID-19 patients who underwent continuous routine EEG monitoring (EEG monitor: Narcotrend-Compact M) during sedation. Measurements and Main Results: Data from 15 COVID-19 patients (11 men, four women; age: 19-75 years) were evaluated. Epileptiform potentials occurred in 10 of 15 patients (66.7%). Conclusions: The results of the evaluation regarding the occurrence of epileptiform potentials show that there is an unusually high percentage of cerebral involvement in patients with severe COVID-19. EEG monitoring can be used in COVID-19 patients to detect epileptiform potentials.

Preoperative Cognitive Impairment as a Perioperative Risk Factor in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background:

The study assessed whether pre-existing cognitive impairment (CI) prior to elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with worse postoperative outcomes such as delirium, in-hospital medical complications, 30-day mortality, hospital length of stay and non-home discharge.

Methods:

A retrospective database analysis from the NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot Project was used. There was an initial cohort of 6350 patients undergoing elective TKA, 104 patients with CI were propensity score matched to 104 patients without CI.

Results:

Analysis demonstrated a significantly increased incidence of post-operative delirium (POD) in the cohort with pre-op CI (p = < .001), a worsened functional status (p = < .001) and increased nonhome discharge postoperatively compared to the group without CI (p = 0.029). Other post-operative outcomes included 30-day mortality of 0% in both groups, and low rate of complications such as infection (2.88% vs 0.96%), pneumonia (1.92% vs 0%), failure to wean (0.96% vs 0%), and reintubation (0.96% vs 0%). Some other differences between the CI group and non-CI group, although not statistically significant, included increased rate of transfusion (10.58% vs 6.73%), and sepsis (1.92% vs 0%). The length of stay was increased in the non-CI group (4.28% vs 2.32%, p = 0.122).

Conclusion:

CI in patients undergoing TKA is associated with an increased risk of POD, worsened postoperative functional status, and discharge to non-home facility.

Feasibility of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine in Treatment of Postoperative Restlessness, Agitation, and Pain in Geriatric Orthopedic Patients

Objective

The aim of this study was to report preliminary data on the use of intranasal dexmedetomidine to treat postoperative restlessness, agitation, and pain in 23 patients aged > 70 years and undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Background

Postoperative agitation and delirium are common among older adult patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Most preparations used to treat agitation and delirium carry a risk for adverse events such as respiratory failure. Moreover, mere opioid therapy may be insufficient in treatment of pain. Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenoreceptor agonist with sedative and analgesic properties, has been shown to reduce opioid requirement and reduce postoperative delirium in older adults.

Methods

We studied the use of post-operative intranasal dexmedetomidine in a retrospective study cohort of geriatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Primary outcomes included alterations in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), Modified Richmond Agitation and Sedation Score (mRASS), and opioid consumption following dexmedetomidine administration.

Results

We identified 23 patients with a mean (SD) age of 79.9 (7.5) years who received dexmedetomidine 100 µg intranasally postoperatively. After dexmedetomidine administration, HR decreased by 10.4 (3.7) beats/min (95% CI 2.9–17.8; p = 0.004) and MAP by 16.2 (4.4) mmHg (95% CI 7.3–25.1; p < 0.001). HR decrease was significant at 2 h and MAP decrease at 1, 2, and 3 h following dexmedetomidine administration. Dexmedetomidine administration was associated with significant reductions in opioid consumption (p < 0.001) and mRASS score (p < 0.001). SpO₂ and RR remained unchanged.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings suggest that intranasal dexmedetomidine reduces opioid consumption without causing respiratory depression and may be used to treat postoperative restlessness, agitation, and pain in geriatric patients. However, hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine may require close observation for 3 hours following administration in older adult patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40266-021-00846-6.

[Perioperative Anesthesiologic Management: Risk Assessment and Preoperative Improvement of Patient Conditions]

With patient safety being anesthesiologists' top priority, the focus of preoperative assessment must be to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality of each patient entrusted to us. Perioperative risk is multifactorial and depends on the extent of surgery and the preoperative condition of the patient.The three main causes of unexpected perioperative death are cardiac arrest, hypoxemia and acute bleeding. Therefore, cardiac and pulmonary risk assessment should cover pre-existing conditions, patient's functional capacity and risk factors associated with the surgical procedure. Specific assessment tools have been developed, are easily accessible and have proven effective in every day clinical practice. Regarding the risk of bleeding, taking a detailed patients' history (including medication) seems to be more suitable to detect mild bleeding disorders than laboratory screening.Functional capacity, defined as the patient's ability to cope with everyday life, gains importance in preoperative risk assessment, as do further factors like deficiencies in nutrition, anaemia, physical capacity, the metabolic status or frailty in the elderly. Prehabilitation strategies reduce perioperative mortality and morbidity by improving functional capacity. These include preoperative nutrition supplementation, physical exercise, correction of iron deficiency and optimized treatment of hyperglycemia.A combination of thorough risk stratification and prehabilitation strategies can improve preoperative conditions and reduce complications in the postoperative period.

Preoperative Comparison of Three Anticholinergic Drug Scales in Older Adult Patients and Development of Postoperative Delirium: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent and serious complication after surgery. Evidence of a relationship between anticholinergic medication and the development of delirium is inconclusive, but studies on POD are rare.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticholinergic load of preoperative medication in older adult patients and its association with the development of POD.

METHODS

This investigation was part of the European BioCog project ( http://www.biocog.eu ), a prospective multicenter observational study in older adult surgical patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02265263, 15 October 2014). Patients with a Mini-Mental State Examination score ≤ 23 points were excluded. POD was assessed up to 7 days after surgery using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, Confusion Assessment Method and a patient chart review. The preoperative anticholinergic load was calculated using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) and the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACBS), and associations with POD were analyzed using logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, comorbidities, duration of anesthesia and number of drugs used.

RESULTS

In total, 837 participants were included for analysis, and 165 patients (19.7%) fulfilled the criteria of POD. After adjusting for confounders, we found no association between preoperative anticholinergic load and the development of POD (ADS [points] odds ratio [OR] 0.928; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.749-1.150; ARS [points] OR 0.832; 95% CI 0.564-1.227; ACBS [points] OR 1.045; 95% CI 0.842-1.296).

CONCLUSION

This study found no association between the anticholinergic load of drugs used preoperatively and the development of POD in older adult patients without severe preexisting cognitive impairment. Future analyses should examine the influence of intra- and postoperative administration of anticholinergic drugs as well as dosages of and interactions between medications.

Association Among Preoperative Cognitive Performance, Regional Cerebral Oxygen Saturation, and Postoperative Delirium in Older Portuguese Patients

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium is common among older patients and preoperative identification of high-risk patients is widely recommended. The aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative cognitive performance using brief screening tools or regional cerebral oxygen saturation (Scto2) was associated with the development of postoperative delirium in older Portuguese patients undergoing elective surgery.

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort study where preoperative cognitive screening tools (Mini-Cog, Mini-Mental State Examination, verbal fluency) and Scto2 (INVOS 5100C; Medtronic, Ireland) were assessed in 238 patients ≥65 years old undergoing elective surgery between July 2017 and May 2019 at a tertiary academic center in Portugal. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium detected by the 3D-Confusion Assessment Method. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Delirium was identified in 53 patients (22%); 162 patients (68%) had completed only 4 years of education. On multivariable analysis, probable cognitive impairment tested by the Mini-Cog (odds ratio [OR] = 1.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-3.53; corrected P value >.999), by the Mini-Mental State Examination (OR = 2.75; 95% CI, 1.23-6.13; corrected P value = .052), and by the animal verbal fluency test (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 0.49-3.16; corrected P value >.999) were not significantly associated with the development of postoperative delirium. In contrast, lower preoperative Scto2 (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.14; corrected P value = .024 for each point decrease in Scto2) was associated with postoperative delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

We did not find enough evidence to suggest that poor preoperative cognitive performance was significantly associated with the development of postoperative delirium in an older Portuguese surgical population with an overall low level of formal education, but rather that preoperative Scto2 may be helpful in identifying patients at risk for delirium.

Volatile and Intravenous Anesthetics for Brain Protection in Cardiac Surgery: Does the Choice of Anesthesia Matter?

Postoperative neurologic complications have a significant effect on morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The etiology of brain injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is multifactorial and remains unclear. There are several perioperative causative factors for neurologic complications, including microembolization, hypoperfusion, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Despite technologic advances and the development of new anesthetic drugs, there remains a high rate of postoperative neurologic complications. Moreover, despite the strong evidence that volatile anesthesia exerts cardioprotective effects in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the neuroprotective effects of volatile agents remain unclear. Several studies have reported an association of using volatile anesthetics with improvement of biochemical markers of brain injury and postoperative neurocognitive function. However, there is a need for additional studies to define the optimal anesthetic drug for protecting the brain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Delirium after Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease

Deep brain stimulation is a primary treatment method that improves motor and motor complications in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Delirium is a common and serious complication following deep brain stimulation. However, the clinical attention toward this complication remains insufficient. Advanced age, cognitive decline, and the severity of the disease may all be risk factors for delirium. The presence of delirium may also affect cognitive function and disease prognosis. Neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine may be involved in the occurrence of delirium. Furthermore, inflammation, the effects of microlesioning of local nuclei, and brain atrophy may also play roles in the onset of delirium. Nonpharmacological therapy appears to be the primary treatment for postoperative delirium in Parkinson's disease. The current article reviews the pathogenesis, epidemiology, prognosis, and treatment of delirium following deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease to help clinicians better understand this common complication and to prevent, identify, and treat it as soon as possible, as well as to provide more accurate treatment for patients.

Dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative cognitive and behavioral dysfunction in adults submitted to general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery: meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Introduction and objectives

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been associated with a decrease in postoperative cognitive and behavioral dysfunction in patients submitted to general anesthesia, whether inhalation or total intravenous anesthesia. Consequently, the DEX effects on postoperative agitation and delirium in patients submitted to general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery have been investigated.

Method

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and double-blind clinical trials (RCTs) was undertaken assessing adults submitted to elective procedures under general anesthesia receiving DEX or placebo. The search included articles published in English in the Pubmed and Web of Science databases using keywords such as dexmedetomidine, delirium, and agitation. Duplicate publications, studies involving cardiac surgery or using active control (other than saline solution) were included. A random effects model was adopted using the DerSimonian-Laird method and estimate of Odds Ratio (OR) for dichotomous variables, and weighted mean difference for continuous variables, with their respective 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI).

Results

Of the 484 articles identified, 15 were selected comprising 2,183 patients (1,079 and 1,104 patients in the DEX and control group, respectively). The administration of DEX was considered a protective factor for postoperative cognitive and behavioral dysfunction (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.23–0.57 and p < 0.001), regardless of the anesthesia technique used.

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine administration reduced by at least 43% the likelihood of postoperative cognitive and behavioral dysfunction in adult patients submitted to general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery.

Effects of general versus regional anaesthesia on circadian melatonin rhythm and its association with postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: study protocol for a prospective cohort clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common neurological complication after hip fracture surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. Although the specific mechanism of POD remains unclear, circadian rhythm disruptions have recently drawn increased attention. To date, only limited postoperative time points of plasma melatonin level measurements were recorded in previous studies, and such data cannot represent a comprehensive melatonin rhythm. The process of anaesthesia (either general anaesthesia (GA) or regional anaesthesia (RA)) is known to influence the melatonin rhythm. However, how these two anaesthesia methods differently affect the postoperative melatonin rhythm is still unknown. Therefore, we hypothesise that RA may attenuate the disruption of the melatonin rhythm, which might decrease the incidence of POD in elderly patients undergoing hip surgery.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this prospective cohort clinical trial, 138 patients scheduled for hip fracture surgery will be divided into two groups to receive either GA or RA. The primary aim is to compare the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion between the two groups and explore its association with the incidence of POD.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the Medical Science Research Ethics Committees of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital (JLKS201901-04). The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed international journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900027393.

Post-operative delirium in older hip fracture patients: a new onset or was it already there?

PURPOSE

Hip fractures are a worldwide health issue primarily for older patients, conditioning major morbidity and mortality. An experienced multidisciplinary team is essential to manage surgery and peri-operative implications, to enable rapid functional and cognitive recovery. Delirium is a recognizable problem associated with negative outcomes. Our study aims to determine the influence of pre-operative delirium in the incidence of post-operative delirium, and to evaluate the association between other known peri-operative risk factors with both conditions.

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective cohort study, conducted at a Level II trauma center over a 14-month period, included 241 patients with 65 years of age or older submitted to hip fracture surgery. Peri-operative data were gathered regarding baseline characteristics (sociodemographic, functional and cognitive status), intra-operative events (anesthesia technique, surgery duration, blood loss) and post-operative outcomes (delirium occurrence).

RESULTS

Statistical analysis evidenced a female (75.5%) and elderly population (83.9 ± 7.8 years old) with significant comorbidities (cognitive impairment in 51.9%, ASA ≥ III in 79.7%, mean CIRS-G 8.83 ± 4.69) that underwent surgical fracture repair, mostly under 4 h (96.3%) and under regional anesthesia (63.1%). Pre- and post-operative delirium incidence was 18.3% and 12.9%, respectively, displaying increased presence according to cognitive impairment severity.

CONCLUSION

Post-operative delirium was almost inexistent when it was absent pre-operatively. Moreover, pre-operative cognitive status was associated with the development of pre- and post-operative delirium. Careful cognitive assessment, implementation of preventive strategies and avoidance of peri-operative pro-delirium factors are crucial for comprehensive geriatric care.