Postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery of elderly patients as an independent risk factor for prolonged length of stay in intensive care unit and in hospital

Preoperative brain volume loss is associated with postoperative delirium in advanced heart failure patients supported by left ventricular assist device

Delirium is a common neurological complication in patients with advanced heart failure (ADHF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, significantly impacting recovery. This study aimed to analyze non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain in ADHF patients undergoing LVAD implantation to determine the association between pre-existing brain atrophy and postoperative delirium. A study involving 166 ADHF patients was conducted from March 2020 to July 2023. Non-contrast CT scans were analyzed using advanced quantitative neuroimaging techniques before implantation. The primary marker assessed was the lateral ventricle fraction (LVF), with secondary markers including cortical gray matter fraction (cGMF), white matter fraction (WMF), basal ganglia fraction (BGF), and thalamus fraction (TLF). A total of 56 patients (33%) experienced postoperative delirium within two weeks of implantation. Patients with delirium were older and exhibited greater brain atrophy, indicated by higher LVF and lower cGMF, WMF, BGF, and TLF values. The occurrence of delirium was strongly associated with age, and ventricular enlargement, primarily in the lateral ventricles. LVF effectively predicted delirium development, regardless of age. Preoperative brain volumetric analysis, particularly of the lateral ventricles, may be crucial in identifying patients at risk for postoperative delirium, enhancing postoperative management, and improving outcomes for LVAD recipients.

Risk factors of delirium after cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Post-operative delirium (POD) is a relatively common occurrence following surgical procedures, particularly cardiac surgeries. Given that the majority of pharmacologic treatments for delirium have demonstrated inadequate efficacy, it is of great importance to identify risk factors to prevent delirium or reduce its complications. Consequently, in this systematic review and meta-analysis, we identified risk factors of POD after cardiac surgery.

METHOD

A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using the databases Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science from the inception to April 22, 2024. The objective was to identify prospective cohorts that had assessed the risk factors associated with POD in patients undergoing cardiac surgery using multivariate regression.

RESULTS

Of the 3,166 studies that were initially screened, 23 were included in the review. Nine risk factors were evaluated including age (OR 1.06, 95% CI (1.04, 1.08), p < 0.001), pre-operative depression (OR 3.71, 95% CI (2.45, 5.62), p < 0.001), post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF) (OR 2.39, 95% CI (1.79, 3.21), p < 0.001), hypertension (HTN) (OR 1.64, 95% CI (0.75, 3.56), p = 0.212), age ≥ 65 (OR 3.32, 95% CI (2.40, 4.60), p < 0.001), pre-operative AF (OR 4.43, 95% CI (2.56, 7.69), p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.16, 95% CI (1.39, 3.35), p = 0.001), combined coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) + valve surgery (OR 2.73, 95% CI (1.66, 4.49), p < 0.001), and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (OR 1.02, 95% CI (1.01, 1.04), p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A total of nine risk factors were evaluated, from which eight were found to have a statistically significant effect on the risk of developing POD. These factors can be employed to more effectively identify at-risk patients and to prevent the occurrence of POD. Furthermore, this approach can facilitate earlier diagnosis and more effective patient care.

Outcomes of surgery for inflammatory bowel disease among patients with psychiatric disorders

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric disorders (PDs) are common among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Brain-gut dysfunction and psychotropic medications may have adverse effects on postoperative outcomes in patients with IBD. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PD and outcomes after surgery for IBD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of adult patients with IBD who underwent small bowel, colon, or rectal resection in the 2016 to 2021 Nationwide Readmissions Database. PDs, including psychotic, mood, anxiety, eating, sleep, personality, and childhood-onset behavioral disorders, were identified. Records about colorectal cancer were excluded. Multivariate regressions were used to examine the association of PD with outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 81,955 patients included in the study, 21,800 (26.6%) had PDs. On risk adjustment, PD was associated with significantly increased postoperative ileus (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.19), length of stay (β, +1.4 days; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7), and costs (β, +$2100; 95% CI, $1200-$3100) compared with no PD. In addition, patients with PDs experienced increased odds of nonhome discharge (AOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.34) and 30-day readmission (AOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.22-1.43). Over the study period, the prevalence of PDs significantly increased from 24.3% to 28.5% (P < .001), along with an increase in the rates of ileus among patients with PDs (8.1%-15.8%; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

PD is associated with a significantly greater burden of adverse clinical and financial outcomes after IBD operations. Given the growing prevalence of mental health conditions among patients with IBD, further efforts to optimize preoperative psychiatric care may enhance the quality of colorectal surgery.

Clinical investigation into risk factors for delirium post-cardiac surgery and its implications for nursing intervention guided by behavior change theory

BACKGROUND

This study explores the factors contributing to the occurrence of delirium following cardiac surgery and devises nursing strategies rooted in behavior change theory.

METHODS

A cohort of 320 cardiac surgery patients was selected, categorized into two groups: 93 cases where postoperative delirium (POD) was anticipated, and 227 cases where it was not. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors of POD were scrutinized using single-factor analysis, while binary logistic regression analysis was employed to pinpoint risk factors.

RESULTS

Among the 320 patients, 93 displayed POD symptoms post-surgery, yielding an incidence of 29.06%. Preoperative univariate analysis disclosed significant differences in gender, age, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes (P < 0.05). Intraoperatively, significant differences were noted in the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) anesthesia grade (II, III, and IV), surgery time, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, and aortic occlusion duration (P < 0.05). Post-surgery, significant differences were observed in the duration of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, mechanical ventilation time, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression identified surgery time (OR = 2.334, P < 0.001), ICU admission duration (OR = 1.457, P < 0.001), mechanical ventilation time (OR = 1.235, P = 0.004), and VAS scores (OR = 2.986, P < 0.001) as independent risk factors for POD. ROC curve analysis indicated higher sensitivity and specificity in predicting POD with surgery time, ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation time, and VAS scores.

CONCLUSION

Irrespective of the surgical intervention type, surgery time, ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation time, and VAS scores are recognized as risk factors for POD in cardiac surgery patients. Hence, continuous patient monitoring and early intervention tailored to specific risk factors are essential in clinical practice to mitigate POD incidence.

Registered nurses' experiences of caring for patients with hypoactive delirium after cardiac surgery - A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Delirium is a common post-cardiac surgery complication that presents as acute changes in mental abilities with confused thinking and a lack of awareness of the surroundings. Delirium symptoms present in hyperactive- and hypoactive forms. Hypoactive delirium is often overlooked. Although nursing interventions are important in preventing and treating hypoactive delirium, studies focusing on nurses' experiences of hypoactive delirium are scarce. This study describes registered nurses' experiences of caring for patients with hypoactive delirium after cardiac surgery.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

This was a qualitative descriptive study with an inductive approach. Data was collected through focus group interviews with 12 registered nurses with experience in caring for cardiac surgery patients with hypoactive delirium. The study complied with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

SETTING

A cardiac surgery department at a Swedish University Hospital.

FINDINGS

The analysis resulted in one main category; "Navigating the complexities of care when caring for patients with hypoactive delirium" and three sub-categories: "Challenges, "Nursing interventions" and "Promoting a team approach".

CONCLUSION

Delirium assessment and nursing interventions are perceived as essential yet demanding. when caring for patients with hypoactive delirium. Nursing interventions like maintaining the circadian rhythm and offering emotional support need to be prioritised by the nurses, in line with the autonomy of the registered nurse's profession. Moreover, the team around the patient is crucial for detecting and treating hypoactive delirium, and it is important to involve other professionals as well as the patient's relatives. Future research is needed to develop assessment instruments that more accurately capture hypoactive delirium in the postoperative setting.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Despite the use of screening tools, nurses still experience challenges in detecting the symptoms of hypoactive delirium, indicating a need for more clinically effective screening tools for hypoactive delirium. Nursing interventions are emphasised in the care of patients with hypoactive delirium.

Risk factors for postoperative delirium in patients with cardiac surgery

Purpose: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after cardiac surgery are at high risk of delirium due to a variety of factors. This study aimed to identify the incidence of postoperative delirium in adult patients with cardiac surgery and its risk factors, such as characteristics of subjects, disease and treatment-related, as well as nursing-related characteristics. Methods: The study was performed on adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery at Y University Hospital in D city; a total of 195 patients met the inclusion criteria. Results: The results of this study determined that 67 of 195 adult cardiac surgery patients had postoperative delirium, 53.7% of which occurred in the ICU and 46.3% in the general ward. Risk factors of postoperative delirium were postoperative symptoms of inflammation (odds ratio [OR] = 10.18, p = 0.002), continuous renal replacement therapy application after surgery (OR = 9.05, p = 0.006), postoperative sleep disorder (OR = 8.98, p < 0.001), age (OR = 6.23, p = 0.006), length of stay in the ICU (OR = 3.83, p = 0.031), history of stroke (OR = 3.71, p = 0.033), the number of postoperative catheter retention (OR = 1.53, p = 0.065), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ score (OR = 1.12, p = 0.006), and time of operation (OR = 1.01, p = 0.042). Conclusion: This study confirmed that after cardiac surgery, postoperative delirium occurred in patients during their ICU stay and after their transfer to a general ward. Considering that after cardiac surgery ICU-related factors affect the incidence of delirium in the general ward, there is a need for continuous monitoring of ICU-related factors after the patient gets transferred to a general ward.

Preoperative Delirium Risk Screening in Patients Undergoing a Cardiac Surgery: Results from the Prospective Observational FINDERI Study

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication of cardiac surgery that is associated with higher morbidity, longer hospital stay, cognitive decline, and mortality. Preoperative assessments may help to identify patients´ POD risk. However, a standardized screening assessment for POD risk has not been established.

DESIGN

Prospective observational FINd DElirium RIsk factors (FINDERI) study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged ≥50 years undergoing cardiac surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary aim was to analyze the predictive value of the Delirium Risk Screening Questionnaire (DRSQ) prior to cardiac surgery. Secondary aims are to investigate cognitive, frailty, and geriatric assessments, and to use data-driven machine learning (ML) in predicting POD. Predictive properties were assessed using receiver operating characteristics analysis and multivariate approaches (regularized LASSO regression and decision trees).

RESULTS

We analyzed a data set of 504 patients (68.3 ± 8.2 years, 21.4% women) who underwent cardiac surgery. The incidence of POD was 21%. The preoperatively administered DRSQ showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.68 (95% CI 0.62, 0.73), and the predictive OR was 1.25 (95% CI 1.15, 1.35, p <0.001). Using a ML approach, a three-rule decision tree prediction model including DRSQ (score>7), Trail Making Test B (time>118), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (score ≤ 22) was identified. The AUC of the three-rule decision tree on the training set was 0.69 (95% CI 0.63, 0.75) and 0.62 (95% CI 0.51, 0.73) on the validation set.

CONCLUSION

Both the DRSQ and the three-rule decision tree might be helpful in predicting POD risk before cardiac surgery.

Related factors of delirium after transsphenoidal endoscopic pituitary adenoma resection-A matched retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this study is to explore the factors associated with delirium incidence in postoperative patients who have undergone endoscopic transsphenoidal approach surgery for pituitary adenoma.

METHODS

The study population included patients admitted to Tianjin Huanhu Hospital's Skull Base Endoscopy Center from January to December 2022, selected through a retrospective cohort study design. The presence of perioperative delirium was evaluated using the 4 'A's Test (4AT) scale, and the final diagnosis of delirium was determined by clinicians. Statistical analysis included Propensity Score Matching (PSM), χ2 Test, and Binary Logistic Regression.

RESULTS

A total of 213 patients were included in this study, and the incidence of delirium was found to be 29.58 % (63/213). Among them, 126 patients were selected using PSM (delirium:non-delirium = 1:1), ensuring age, gender, and pathology were matched. According to the results of univariate analysis conducted on multiple variables, The binary logistic regression indicated that a history of alcoholism (OR = 6.89, [1.60-29.68], P = 0.010), preoperative optic nerve compression symptoms (OR = 4.30, [1.46-12.65], P = 0.008), operation time ≥3 h (OR = 5.50, [2.01-15.06], P = 0.001), benzodiazepines for sedation (OR = 3.94, [1.40-11.13], P = 0.010), sleep disorder (OR = 3.86, [1.40-10.66], P = 0.009), and physical restraint (OR = 4.53, [1.64-12.53], P = 0.004) as independent risk factors for postoperative delirium following pituitary adenoma surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

For pituitary adenoma patients with a history of alcoholism and presenting symptoms of optic nerve compression, as well as an operation time ≥3 h, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients, improving perioperative sleep quality, and reducing physical restraint may help decrease the incidence of postoperative delirium.

An exploratory study on the heterogeneity of postoperative delirium: Preoperative cognitive screening does not detect hallucinatory delirium risk

INTRODUCTION

This study compared the clinical characteristics of patients who had hallucinations and those who did not during delirium after elective cancer surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively observed 1137 consecutive patients who had preoperative screening by a trained nurse before elective major urologic cancer surgery in our department. We compared the patient characteristics, including mini-cognitive assessment instrument (Mini-Cog) and Geriatric-8 (G8) scores, between those who developed postoperative delirium and those who did not, and also between those who had hallucinations and those who did not during delirium.

RESULTS

Out of 1137 patients, 68 developed postoperative delirium, and 12 of them had hallucinations. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on the G8 and Mini-Cog scores divided the patients into two groups: one with high G8 and cognitive function (36 patients) and one with low G8 and cognitive function (32 patients). Hallucinations during delirium were more frequent in the high G8 and cognitive function group (11 out of 36 patients) than in the low G8 and cognitive function group (one out of 32 patients). Patients who had hallucinations during delirium also had higher preoperative Mini-Cog scores (P = 0.002) and G8 scores (P = 0.03) than those who did not, indicating better cognitive function and less frailty.

DISCUSSIONS

We identified a patient population that is prone to hallucinations that preoperative screening tools cannot detect. This suggests the heterogeneity of postoperative delirium and the need for further research.

Update of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine evidence-based and consensus-based guideline on postoperative delirium in adult patients

Postoperative delirium (POD) remains a common, dangerous and resource-consuming adverse event but is often preventable. The whole peri-operative team can play a key role in its management. This update to the 2017 ESAIC Guideline on the prevention of POD is evidence-based and consensus-based and considers the literature between 01 April 2015, and 28 February 2022. The search terms of the broad literature search were identical to those used in the first version of the guideline published in 2017. POD was defined in accordance with the DSM-5 criteria. POD had to be measured with a validated POD screening tool, at least once per day for at least 3 days starting in the recovery room or postanaesthesia care unit on the day of surgery or, at latest, on postoperative day 1. Recent literature confirmed the pathogenic role of surgery-induced inflammation, and this concept reinforces the positive role of multicomponent strategies aimed to reduce the surgical stress response. Although some putative precipitating risk factors are not modifiable (length of surgery, surgical site), others (such as depth of anaesthesia, appropriate analgesia and haemodynamic stability) are under the control of the anaesthesiologists. Multicomponent preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative preventive measures showed potential to reduce the incidence and duration of POD, confirming the pivotal role of a comprehensive and team-based approach to improve patients' clinical and functional status.

Elderly patients benefit from minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: perioperative risk management matters

OBJECTIVES

The goal was to assess the single-centre results of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) in the elderly population.

METHODS

All patients referred for minimally invasive valve surgery underwent a standardized preoperative screening. We performed a retrospective analysis of 131 consecutive elderly patients (≥75 years) who underwent endoscopic MIMVS through a right mini-thoracotomy. Survival and postoperative course were assessed in 2 groups: a repair group and a replacement group.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients underwent mitral valve repair, and 46 had mitral valve replacement. The mean age was 79 ± 2.9 years, and the median follow-up duration was 3.8 years. The cardiopulmonary bypass time (128.7 min vs 155.9 min, P = 0.012) and the cross-clamp time (84.9 min vs 124.1 min, P = 0.005) were significantly longer in the replacement group. Except for more reinterventions for bleeding in the replacement group (10.9% vs 0%, P = 0.005), there were no significant differences in the postoperative course between the 2 groups. Low mortality rates at the midterm follow-up were observed in both groups, and no differences were observed between the 4-and the 12-month follow-up. Survival rates after 1 year and 5 years were 97.6% and 88.6%, respectively, with no significant differences between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

MIMVS is an excellent treatment option in vulnerable elderly patients with excellent short- and long-term results. Although other studies suggest that repair could be superior to replacement even in older patients, our experience suggests that replacement is equivalent to repair in terms of mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Experience and standardized preoperative screening are mandatory to achieve optimal results.

Functional intervention following cardiac surgery to prevent postoperative delirium in older patients (FEEL WELL study)

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium is a common complication in patients after cardiac surgery, especially in older patients, and can manifest as a disturbance of attention and consciousness. It can lead to increased postoperative morbidity, prolonged need for care, and mortality. The presented study investigates whether the occurrence of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery can be prevented by a multisensory stimulation. It was conducted as a prospective, randomized, controlled, non-pharmacological intervention study in the years 2021 and 2022 at the University Hospital Bonn in Germany. A total of 186 patients over 65 years with elective cardiac surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomized either to the intervention or control group. In both groups, postoperative delirium was assessed with the 3-min diagnostic interview for confusion assessment method on the first 5 days after surgery and pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale. Multisensory stimulation was performed 20 min a day for the first three postoperative days in the intervention group.

RESULTS

The incidence of postoperative delirium was 22.6% in the intervention group and 49.5% in the control group (p < 0.001). Duration of postoperative delirium was significantly shorter in the intervention group (p < 0.001). Stay in the intensive care unit was significantly longer in the control group (p = 0.006). In the regression model non-intervention, high pain scores, advanced age, and prolonged mechanical ventilation were associated with postoperative delirium (p = 0.007; p = 0.032; p = 0.006; p = 0.006, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the study imply that a multisensory stimulation done on the first 3 days after planned cardiac surgery can reduce the incidence and duration of postoperative delirium in older patients. Influence of the treatment on the incidence of delirium in other patient groups, the length of stay in the intensive care unit, and patients´ postoperative pain should be confirmed in further clinical studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

DRKS, DRKS00026909. Registered 28 October 2021, Retrospectively registered, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00026909 .

The frail patient undergoing cardiac surgery: lessons learned and future perspectives

Frailty is a geriatric condition characterized by the reduction of the individual's homeostatic reserves. It determines an increased vulnerability to endogenous and exogenous stressors and can lead to poor outcomes. It is an emerging concept in perioperative medicine, since an increasing number of patients undergoing surgical interventions are older and the traditional models of care seem to be inadequate to satisfy these patients' emerging clinical needs. Nowadays, the progressive technical and clinical improvements allow to offer cardiac operations to an older, sicker and frail population. For these reasons, a multidisciplinary team involving cardiac surgeons, clinical cardiologists, anesthesiologists, and geriatricians, is often needed to assess, select and provide tailored care to these high-risk frail patients to optimize clinical outcomes. There is unanimous agreement that frailty assessment may capture the individual's biological decline and the heterogeneity in risk profile for poor health-related outcomes among people of the same age. However, since commonly used preoperative scores for cardiac surgery fail to capture frailty, a specific preoperative assessment with dedicated tools is warranted to correctly recognize, measure and quantify frailty in these patients. On the contrary, pre-operative and post-operative interventions can reduce the risk of complications and support patient recovery promoting surgical resilience. Minimally invasive cardiac procedures aim to reduce surgical trauma and may be associated with better clinical outcome in this specific sub-group of high-risk patients. Among postoperative adverse events, the occurrence of delirium represents a risk factor for several unfavorable outcomes including mortality and subsequent cognitive decline. Its presence should be carefully recognized, triggering an adequate, evidence based, treatment. There is evidence, from several cross-section and longitudinal studies, that frailty and delirium may frequently overlap, with frailty serving both as a predisposing factor and as an outcome of delirium and delirium being a marker of a latent condition of frailty. In conclusion, frail patients are at increased risk to experience poor outcome after cardiac surgery. A multidisciplinary approach aimed to recognize more vulnerable individuals, optimize pre-operative conditions, reduce surgical invasivity and improve post-operative recovery is required to obtain optimal long-term outcome.

Suffering in silence - Cardiac surgery patients recalling hypoactive delirium a qualitative descriptive study

OBJECTIVES

Postoperative delirium affects up to 50% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Delirium phenotypes are commonly divided into hyperactive and hypoactive, with hypoactive symptoms (reduced motor activity and withdrawal) often being overlooked due to their discreet character. Although the consequences of hypoactive delirium are severe, studies focusing on patients' experiences of hypoactive delirium are scarce. The aim of the study was to describe cardiac surgery patients' experiences of hypoactive delirium.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

We used qualitative descriptive semi-structured interviews with an inductive, latent approach. Twelve patients with hypoactive symptoms of delirium after cardiac surgery were purposefully selected. Interview data were analysed by qualitative content analysis.

FINDINGS

Two themes based on eight sub-themes emerged. "Dream or reality in parallel worlds" included disturbing experiences of existing in parallel realities with cognitive effects, residual nightmares, and illusions that occasionally persisted after hospital discharge. "Managing the state of hypoactive delirium" included experiences of intellectually dealing with hypoactive delirium with assumptions of causes and cures, and through interactions like communicating with others.

CONCLUSION

Participants experienced hypoactive delirium as extensive and long-lasting with perceptions of existing in parallel realities. The findings emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to have expertise in hypoactive delirium and its fluctuating course, as the delirium of many patients may be undetected and undiagnosed. Improving the use of screening tools for clinical practice is essential for the detection of hypoactive delirium, and a person-centred approach is needed to properly care for this group of patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

The challenges in the recognition of hypoactive delirium need to be emphasized because the syndrome is still overlooked. The use of screening tools in clinical practice is essential. A person-centred approach supports relationships between delirious patients and healthcare professionals.

Incidence and Factors Related to Prolonged Postoperative Cognitive Decline (POCD) in Elderly Patients Following Surgery and Anaesthesia: A Systematic Review

Aim

The aim of this systematic review is to explore the current literature to provide evidence regarding the incidence and risk factors of prolonged POCD in elderly patients following cardiac and non-cardiac surgical interventions.

Methods

The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using appropriate keywords and search engines for adequate evidence from studies meeting the inclusion criteria so as to reveal the end-point, which was the presence of prolonged POCD in elderly patients following surgery and anaesthesia. The incidence of POCD at different time intervals and the variables predicting the occurrence of POCD were analysed.

Results

The results of 23 articles covering 5077 patients (3694 non cardiac and 1383 cardiac surgeries) were carefully analysed. POCD occurs from the first postoperative day and lasts for potentially long periods. The incidence of POCD in this review ranged from 2.2% to 35.7%. More specifically, it ranged from 2.2% to 31.5% in non-cardiac surgeries and 11.8% to 35.7% in patients who had undergone cardiac surgeries. Some of the independent risk factors (predictors) for the development of POCD were advanced age, high concentration of neuroinflammatory mediators detectable in plasma, low SpO2, longer anaesthetic and surgical duration, and depth of anaesthesia.

Conclusion

This review can only provide limited evidence of prolonged POCD (more than a year) and further research that involves better study designs, larger samples, involving longer follow-up, and at different sites (multicentre) is highly advised. This in turn may help researchers and clinicians to discover the actual causes and risk factors and develop appropriate preventive and treatment protocols to tackle POCD in the ageing surgical population.

Isolated annuloplasty in elderly patients with secondary mitral valve regurgitation: short- and long-term outcomes with a less invasive approach

Background

Long-term outcomes of elderly and frail patients with secondary mitral valve regurgitation (MR) are inconclusive. Especially in patients with co-morbidities such as atherosclerosis who are suffering from heart failure, optimal medical therapy (OMT) is the preferred therapy relative to surgical or percutaneous interventions. It remains challenging to identify the most successful therapy to improve symptoms and increase life expectancy. To reduce surgical trauma for these patients, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) was developed; this has shown promising medium-term results, but there is still a lack of evidence regarding long-term results. The aim of this investigation was to describe the long-term outcomes of less invasive mitral valve surgery (MVS) in elderly patients.

Methods

In this longitudinal retrospective analysis, 67 patients (aged ≥70 years) with secondary MR who underwent MV repair ± tricuspid valve repair (TVR) were identified. MVS was performed via minithoracotomy (MT) in most cases (n = 54); in patients with contraindications for MIMVS, partial upper sternotomy (PS) was the preferred route for surgical access (n = 13). The appropriate access route was chosen according to the patient's clinical condition and comorbidities. We analyzed reoperation-free long-term survival, combined operative success (lack of residual MR, conversion to MV replacement, or larger thoracic incisions), and perioperative safety (at 30 days: mortality, re-thoracotomy, ECMO, pacemaker implantation, dialysis, longer ventilation, stroke, myocardial infarction). In a subgroup analysis, we compared long-term survival in MVS patients with and without TVR.

Results

The median age of patients (62.7% female) was 74 years (interquartile range: 72-76 years), with a median EuroSCORE2 of 2.8% (1.5%-4.6%) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels of 1,434 ng/L (1035-2149 ng/L). The median follow-up period was 5.6 years (2.7-8.5 years). The reoperation-free long-term survival rate up to 10 years was 66.2%. Combined operative success and perioperative safety were achieved in 94% and 76% of patients, respectively. Additional TVR was performed in 56.7% of patients, without any significant difference in survival rates compared to the group without TVR (p = 0.417; HR 1.473, 95% CI 0.578-3.757).

Conclusion

Less invasive MV repair for secondary MR shows excellent operative success and safety in selected patients. Freedom from significant MR and from the need for reoperation indicates long-lasting efficacy. These results should be considered in heart team discussions regarding allocation of patients to surgical mitral procedures.

The Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine alone or with Melatonin on Delirium after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

One of the most common cognitive disorders after major surgery is delirium which can increase morbidity and mortality. This study compared the effect of dexmedetomidine with or without melatonin to reduce delirium following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods

This trial was a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Eighty patients in two different groups with the administration of dexmedetomidine alone or with melatonin undergoing CABG surgery in Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, 2022 - 2023, were randomly allocated. This study evaluated the occurrence, onset, and length of delirium, haloperidol, the time required for weaning, and the duration of stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital.

Results

The occurrence of delirium was lower in the melatonin/dexmedetomidine group (15%) than in the dexmedetomidine group (30 %) (P = 0.09). Additionally, the melatonin/dexmedetomidine group had a significantly lower duration of delirium than the dexmedetomidine group (1.95 (0, 20) and 8.46 (0, 40) P = 0.04). However, no significant difference was observed in the onset of delirium between the two groups (P = 0.25). The length of hospital stays in the melatonin/dexmedetomidine group was significantly shorter than in the dexmedetomidine group (7.53 (7, 10) and 8.60 (7, 15), P = 0.03). However, the two groups demonstrated no significant difference between extubation (P = 0.38) and length of ICU stay (P = 0.19).

Conclusions

The administration of melatonin and dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of post-cardiac surgery delirium, shortened its duration, and decreased the impact of many risk factors observed in those not receiving the added melatonin.

A Cross-Sectional, Retrospective, and Comparative Study between Delirium and Non-Delirium Psychiatric Disorders in a Psychogeriatric Inpatient Population Referred to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Unit

Background and objectives: Delirium is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in inpatient older people. Its presence is associated with higher rates of institutionalization, functional disability and mortality. This study aims to evaluate delirium in a hospitalized psychogeriatric population, focusing on which factors predict the appearance of delirium, the impact it generates and the diagnostic concordance between non-psychiatric physicians and psychiatrists. Material and methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and comparative study. We obtained data from a sample of 1017 patients (≥65 years) admitted to general hospital and referred from different services to the consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) unit. Logistic regression was performed using delirium as the dependent variable. To estimate the concordance of the diagnoses, the Kappa coefficient was used. To assess the impact of delirium, an ordinal regression, Wilcoxon median test and Fisher’s test were performed. Results: Delirium is associated with a higher number of visits, OR 3.04 (95% CI 2.38–3.88), longer length of stay and mortality, OR 2.07 (95% CI, 1.05 to 4.10). The model to predict delirium shows that being >75 years old has an OR of 2.1 (95% CI, 1.59–2.79), physical disability has an OR of 1.66 (95% CI, 1.25–2.20), history of delirium has an OR of 10.56 (95% CI, 5.26–21.18) and no use of benzodiazepines has an OR of 4.24 (95% CI, 2.92–6.14). The concordance between the referring physician’s psychiatric diagnosis and the psychiatrist CLP unit showed a kappa of 0.30. When analysing depression and delirium, the concordance showed Kappa = 0.46. Conclusions: Delirium is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder, but it is still underdiagnosed, with low diagnostic concordance between non-psychiatric doctors and psychiatrists from CLP units. There are multiple risk factors associated with the appearance of delirium, which must be managed to reduce its appearance.

Standardized pharmacological management of delirium after on-pump cardiac surgery reduces ICU stay and ventilation in a retrospective pre-post study

Cardiac surgery patients not only undergo a highly invasive procedure but are at risk for a diversity of postoperative complications. Up to 53% of these patients suffer from postoperative delirium (POD). This severe and common adverse event increases mortality and prolonged mechanical ventilation and extends the intensive care unit stay. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that standardized pharmacological management of delirium (SPMD) may reduce the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation, and the incidence of postoperative complications such as pneumonia or bloodstream infections in on-pump cardiac surgery ICU patients. In this retrospective, single-center observational cohort study, 247 patients were examined between May 2018 to June 2020, who underwent on-pump cardiac surgery, suffered from POD, and received pharmacological POD treatment. 125 were treated before and 122 after SPMD implementation in the ICU. The primary endpoint was a composite outcome, including the length of ICU stay, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and ICU survival rate. The secondary endpoints were complications including postoperative pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Although the ICU survival rate was not significantly different between both groups, the length of ICU stay (control group: 23 ± 27 days; SPMD group: 16 ± 16 days; p = 0.024) and the duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly reduced in the SPMD-cohort (control group: 230 ± 395 h; SPMD group: 128 ± 268 h; p = 0.022). Concordantly, the pneumonic risk was reduced after SPMD introduction (control group: 44.0%; SPMD group: 27.9%; p = 0.012) as well as the incidence for bloodstream infections (control group: 19.2%; SPMD group: 6.6%; p = 0.004). Standardized pharmacological management of postoperative delirium in on-pump cardiac surgery ICU patients reduced the length of ICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation significantly, leading to a decrease in pneumonic complications and bloodstream infections.

Elective Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Surgery in the Elderly

BACKGROUND

No clear guidelines exist for performing preventive surgery for ascending aortic (AA) aneurysm in elderly patients. This study aims to provide insights by: (1) evaluating patient and procedural characteristics and (2) comparing early outcomes and long-term mortality after surgery between elderly and non-elderly patients.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective observational cohort-study was performed. Data was collected on patients who underwent elective AA surgery in three institutions (2006-2017). Clinical presentation, outcomes, and mortality were compared between elderly (≥70 years) and non-elderly patients.

RESULTS

In total, 724 non-elderly and 231 elderly patients were operated upon. Elderly patients had larger aortic diameters (57.0 mm (IQR 53-63) vs. 53.0 mm (IQR 49-58), p < 0.001) and more cardiovascular risk factors at the time of surgery than non-elderly patients. Elderly females had significantly larger aortic diameters than elderly males (59.5 mm (55-65) vs. 56.0 mm (51-60), p < 0.001). Short-term mortality was comparable between elderly and non-elderly patients (3.0% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.16). Five-year survival was 93.9% in non-elderly patients and 81.4% in elderly patients (p < 0.001), which are both lower than that of the age-matched general Dutch population.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that in elderly patients, a higher threshold exists to undergo surgery, especially in elderly females. Despite these differences, short-term outcomes were comparable between 'relatively healthy' elderly and non-elderly patients.

Risk factors and effect of postoperative delirium on adverse surgical outcomes in older adults after elective abdominal cancer surgery in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication in older adults, with unknown epidemiology and effects on surgical outcomes in Asian geriatric cancer patients. This study evaluated incidence, risk factors, and association between adverse surgical outcomes and POD after intra-abdominal cancer surgery in Taiwan.

METHODS

Overall, 345 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent elective abdominal cancer surgery at a medical center in Taiwan were prospectively enrolled. Delirium was assessed daily using the Confusion Assessment Method. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses investigated risk factors for POD occurrence and estimated the association with adverse surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

POD occurred in 19 (5.5%) of the 345 patients. Age ≥73 years, Charlson comorbidity index ≥3, and operative time >428 min were independent predictors for POD occurrence. Patients presenting with one, two, and three risk factors had 4.1-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-35.8, p = 0.20), 17.4-fold (95% CI, 2.2-138, p = 0.007), and 30.8-fold likelihood (95% CI, 2.9-321, p = 0.004) for POD occurrence, respectively. Patients with POD had a higher probability of prolonged hospital stay (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.8; 95% CI, 1.0-8.1; p = 0.037), intensive care stay (adjusted OR: 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5-10.5; p = 0.008), 30-day readmission (adjusted OR 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1-9.7; p = 0.039), and 90-day postoperative death (adjusted OR: 4.2; 95% CI, 1.0-17.7; p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

POD occurrence was significantly associated with adverse surgical outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing elective abdominal cancer surgery, highlighting the importance of early POD identification in geriatric patients to improve postoperative care quality.

The nomogram to predict the occurrence of sepsis-associated encephalopathy in elderly patients in the intensive care units: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a critical and common problem in elderly patients with sepsis, which is still short of efficient predictive tools. Therefore, this study aims to screen the risk factors and establish a useful predictive nomogram for SAE in elderly patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Patients and methods

Elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) with sepsis were selected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database. Data from demographics and laboratory examinations were collected on the first day of admission to the ICU. SAE was defined by two criteria in the presence of sepsis: ① a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of < 15 or ② delirium. Differences in demographics and laboratory tests were calculated between SAE and non-SAE groups. Participants were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set without replacement at a ratio of 6:4. A predictive nomogram was constructed in the training set by logistic regression analysis and then validated. The predictive capability of the nomogram was demonstrated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and calibration curve analysis.

Results

A total of 22,361 patients were selected, of which 2,809 patients (12.7%) died in the hospital and 8,290 patients (37.1%) had SAE. In-hospital mortality in the SAE group was higher than that in the non-SAE group (18.8 vs. 8.9%, p < 0.001). Based on the results of logistic regression analysis, a nomogram integrating age, Na⁺, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, heart rate, and body temperature were constructed. The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram was 80.2% in the training set and 80.9% in the validation set. Calibration curve analysis showed a good predictive capacity of the nomogram.

Conclusion

SAE is an independent risk of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients in the intensive care unit. The nomogram has an excellent predictive capability of SAE and helps in clinical practice.

A novel predictive model for postoperative delirium using multiple geriatric screening factors

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to develop a new composite score to accurately predict postoperative delirium (POD) after major urological cancer surgery.

METHODS

Our retrospective analysis included, in total, 449 consecutive patients who experienced major urological cancer surgery and a preoperative geriatric functional assessment at our institution (development cohort). Geriatric functional assessments included Geriatric 8, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and mini-cognitive assessment instrument (Mini-Cog). Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors related to POD and combined to create a predictive score. The composite score was externally validated using a cohort of 92 consecutive pancreatic cancer patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and a preoperative geriatric functional assessment (validation cohort). The predictive accuracy and performance of the composite score were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and calibration plots.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis of a development cohort, the following factors were significantly associated with POD: a Mini-Cog score of <3 (odds ratio [OR] = 9.5; p < 0.001), disability in the responsibility for medication (OR = 4.1; p = 0.03), and the preoperative use of benzodiazepine (OR = 6.4; p < 0.001). The composite score of these three factors showed excellent discrimination in predicting POD, with AUC values of 0.819 and 0.804 in development and validation cohorts, respectively. Calibration plots showing predicted probability and actual observation in both cohorts showed good agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

A combined model of Mini-Cog, a disability in the responsibility for medication, and preoperative benzodiazepine use showed excellent discriminative power in predicting POD.

Effect of tourniquet technique on postoperative delirium in elderly patients with total knee arthroplasty: a randomized single-blind controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The tourniquet technique is often used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, its effect on postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing TKA is unknown.  METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled trial assessed the eligibility of 245 elderly patients. A total of 197 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a tourniquet group (n = 98) and a non-tourniquet group (n = 99). The primary outcome was the incidence of POD within 72 h after surgery. The secondary outcome was the quality of rehabilitation, including inflammatory reaction, postoperative pain, hypoproteinemia and anemia.

RESULTS

Of 245 patients, 184 patients completed this clinical trial, with 92 cases in each group. There were 14 patients (15.22%) with POD in the tourniquet group and 5 patients (5.43%) in the non-tourniquet group (95% CI 1.076 to 9.067, P = 0.029). The changes in white blood cell count (WBC), the proportion of neutrophils (NEUT%), c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and middle patellar circumference in the tourniquet group were higher than those in the non-tourniquet group (P < 0.05). The visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and activity in the tourniquet group were higher than those in the non-tourniquet group (F = 170.102, P < 0.001 F = 75.391, P < 0.001). There were 41 (44.57%) patients with hypoproteinemia in the tourniquet group and 26 (28.26%) in the non-tourniquet group (95% CI 1.106 to 3.765, P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

The application of the tourniquet technique in elderly patients with TKA procedures increased the incidence of POD. This may be attributed to the increased inflammatory reaction, severe postoperative pain and hypoproteinemia caused by the tourniquet technique.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR2100045711. Full date of the first registration: 23/04/2021.

Incidence and interaction factors of delirium as an independent risk of mortality in elderly patients in the intensive units: a retrospective analysis from MIMIC-IV database

BACKGROUND

As delirium is a common problem in critcal elderly patients, the aim of the study was to investigate the interaction factors of delirium as an independent risk of mortality in elderly patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Elderly patients (age ≥ 65) were selected from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV database. Demographics data were collected on the 1st day of admission to ICU. The main outcome is in-hospital mortality. Propensity score matching analysis (PSMA) was used to remove the influence of comfounding factors between survival and nonsurvival groups. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between delirium and in-hospital death. Stratified analysis and interaction analysis was used to evaluate the interaction factors of delirium as a risk of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

22,361 patients were selected, and in which 2809 patients died. 5453 patients had delirium (about 24.4%). There is a significant difference in delirium between the survival and nonsurvival groups before and after PSMA (p = 0.000 and p = 0.030). Logistic regression showed delirium, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and hemoglobin were all significantly related to in-hospital death (p = 0.000). SOFA score and hemoglobin concentration were proved to be remarkable interaction factors of delirium (p = 0.000, and p = 0.041). Significant correlation between delirium and hospital mortality was inhibited when SOFA was more than 12 or hemoglobin was higher than 15 g/dL. In-hospital mortality (49.1% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.000) and shock incidence (87.9% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.000) of the patients with SOFA ≥ 12 was much higher than that of the patients with SOFA ≤ 11.

CONCLUSION

SOFA and hemoglobin are interaction factors of delirium as an independent risk of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients in the intensive care unit.

Outcomes of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is an acute brain dysfunction that is frequently observed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Increasing evidence indicates POD is related to higher mortality among cardiac surgical patients, but the results remain controversial. Moreover, a quantitative evaluation of the influence of POD on hospital days, intensive care unit (ICU) time, and mechanical ventilation (MV) time has not been performed.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between POD and outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery by a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and methods

A total of 7 electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Wan-fang database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were searched from January 1980 to July 20, 2021, with language restrictions to English and Chinese, to estimate the impact of the POD on outcome in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO (Registration: CRD42021228767).

Results

Forty-two eligible studies with 19785 patients were identified. 3368 (17.0%) patients were in the delirium group and 16417 (83%) were in the non-delirium group. The meta-analysis showed that compared to patients without POD, patients with POD had 2.77-fold higher mortality (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.86-4.11, P < 0.001), 5.70-fold higher MV (>24h) rate (OR = 5.70, 95% CI 2.93-11.09, P < 0.001); and longer MV time (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI 0.57-1.09, P < 0.001), ICU time (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI 0.60-1.22, P < 0.001), hospital days (SMD = 0.62, 95% CI 0.48-0.76, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The synthesized evidence suggests that POD is causally related to the increased risk of mortality, prolonged length of ICU and hospital stay, and a longer duration of MV time. Future research should focus on the interventions for POD, to reduce the incidence.

Systematic review registration

[www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42021228767].

The Impact of Perioperative and Predisposing Risk Factors on the Development of Postoperative Delirium and a Possible Gender Difference

(1) Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is an undesirable event especially for older patients after surgery. Perioperative risks for POD development are multiple, but gender differences are still poorly considered. In this observational study, predisposing and precipitating risk factors of POD and the possible gender influence are distinguished. (2) Methods: This observational prospective trial enrolled 1097 patients in a tertiary hospital from September 2018 until October 2019. POD was considered positive, if one of the tests Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU) or Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), 4 'A's Test (4AT) or Delirium Observation Screening (DOS) scale was positive on one of five assessment days. (3) Results: POD incidence was 23.5% and the mean age of study population was 72.3 ± 7.3 years. The multiple logistic regression model showed a significant impact of age (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.74; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.37-2.22), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.25-2.26), surgery risk (OR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.52-2.95) and surgery duration (OR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.07-1.28), ventilation time (OR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.27-2.24), as well as the male sex (OR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.37-2.22) on POD risk. (4) Conclusions: Perioperative and predisposing risk factors had an impact on the development of POD. The influence of male sex should be considered in future research.

Potential Markers of Neurocognitive Disorders After Cardiac Surgery: A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis

Background

Identifying useful markers is essential for diagnosis and prevention of perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs). Here, we attempt to understand the research basis and status, potential hotspots and trends of predictive markers associated with PNDs after cardiac surgery via bibliometric analysis.

Methods

A total of 4,609 original research articles and reviews that cited 290 articles between 2001 and 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) as the data source. We used the software CiteSpace to generate and analyze visual networks of bibliographic information, including published years and journals, collaborating institutions, co-cited references, and co-occurring keywords.

Results

The number of annual and cumulative publications from 2001 to 2021 has been increasing on the whole. The Harvard Medical School was a very prolific and important institution in this field. The journal of Ann Thorac Surg (IF 4.33) had the most publications, while New Engl J Med was the most cited journal. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100b and kynurenic acid (KYNA) were frequently discussed as possible markers of PNDs in many references. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was a keyword with high frequency (430) and sigma (6.26), and inflammation was the most recent burst keyword.

Conclusion

Potential markers of PNDs has received growing attention across various disciplines for many years. The research basis mainly focuses on three classic biomarkers of S100b, NSE, and KYNA. The most active frontiers are the inflammation-related biomarkers (e.g., inflammatory cells, cytokines, or mediators) and surgery-related monitoring parameters (e.g., perfusion, oxygen saturation, and the depth of anesthesia).

Predicting hospital mortality and length of stay: A prospective cohort study comparing the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist versus Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare two tools, the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) and Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit (ICU) (CAM-ICU), for their predictive validity for outcomes related to delirium, hospital mortality, and length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

The prospective study conducted in six medical ICUs at a tertiary care hospital in Taiwan enrolled consecutive patients (≥20 years) without delirium at ICU admission. Delirium was screened daily using the ICDSC and CAM-ICU in random order. Arousal was assessed by the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS). Participants with any one positive result were classified as ICDSC- or CAM-ICU-delirium groups.

RESULTS

Delirium incidence evaluated by the ICDSC and CAM-ICU were 69.1% (67/97) and 50.5% (49/97), respectively. Although the ICDSC identified 18 more cases as delirious, substantial concordance (κ = 0.63; p < 0.001) was found between tools. Independent of age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and Charlson Comorbidity Index, both ICDSC- and CAM-ICU-rated delirium significantly predicted hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 4.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.56 to 15.63 vs. 2.79; 95% CI: 1.12 to 6.97, respectively), and only the ICDSC significantly predicted hospital LOS with a mean of 17.59 additional days compared with the no-delirium group. Irrespective of delirium status, a sensitivity analysis of normal-to-increased arousal (RASS≥0) test results did not alter the predictive ability of ICDSC- or CAM-ICU-delirium for hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.06 to 8.37 vs. 3.82; 95% CI: 1.35 to 10.82, respectively). With reduced arousal (RASS<0), neither tool significantly predicted mortality or LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

The ICDSC identified more delirium cases and may have higher predictive validity for mortality and LOS than the CAM-ICU. However, arousal substantially affected performance. Future studies may want to consider patients' arousal when deciding which tool to use to maximise the effects of delirium identification on patient mortality.

Postoperative delirium is an independent factor influencing the length of stay of elderly patients in the intensive care unit and in hospital

Purpose

Postoperative delirium (POD) is an often unrecognized adverse event in older people after surgery. The aim of this subgroup analysis of the PRe-Operative Prediction of postoperative DElirium by appropriate SCreening (PROPDESC) trial in patients aged 70 years and older was to identify preoperative risk factors and the impact of POD on length of stay (LOS) in intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital.

Methods

Of the total 1097 patients recruited at a German university hospital (from September 2018 to October 2019) in the PROPDESC prospective observational study, 588 patients aged 70 years and older (mean age 77.2 ± 4.7 years) were included for subgroup analysis. The primary endpoint POD was considered positive if one of the following tests were positive on any of the five postoperative visit days: Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU), Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), 4'A's (4AT) and Delirium Observation Scale (DOS). Trained doctoral students carried out these visitations and additionally the nursing staff were interviewed for completion of the DOS. To evaluate the independent effect of POD on LOS in ICU and in hospital, a multi-variable linear regression analysis was performed.

Results

The POD incidence was 25.9%. The results of our model showed POD as an independent predictor for a prolonged LOS in ICU (36%; 95% CI 4–78%; < 0.001) and in hospital (22%; 95% CI 4–43%; < 0.001).

Conclusion

POD has an independent impact on LOS in ICU and in hospital. Based on the effect of POD for the elderly, a standardized risk screening is required.

Trail registration

German Registry for Clinical Studies: DRKS00015715.

Intraoperative Glycemic Variability and Mean Glucose are Predictors for Postoperative Delirium After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common but serious complication after cardiac surgery and is associated with various short- and long-term outcomes. In this study, we investigated the effects of intraoperative glycemic variability (GV) and other glycemic variables on POD after cardiac surgery.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective single-center cohort analysis was conducted using data from electronic medical record from 2018 to 2020. A total of 705 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery and/or valve surgery, and/or aortic replacement surgery were included in the analysis. Intraoperative GV was assessed with a coefficient of variation (CV), which was defined as the standard deviation of five intraoperative blood glucose measurements divided by the mean. POD assessment was performed three times a day in the ICU and twice a day in the ward until discharge by trained medical staff. POD was diagnosed if any of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit was positive in the ICU, and the Confusion Assessment Method was positive in the ward. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations between intraoperative GV and POD.

Results

POD occurred in 306 (43.4%) patients. When intraoperative glycemic CV was compared as a continuous variable, the delirium group had higher intraoperative glycemic CV than the non-delirium group (22.59 [17.09, 29.68] vs 18.19 [13.00, 23.35], p < 0.001), and when intraoperative glycemic CV was classified as quartiles, the incidence of POD increased as intraoperative glycemic CV quartiles increased (first quartile 29.89%; second quartile 36.67%; third quartile 44.63%; and fourth quartile 62.64%, p < 0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression model, patients in the third quartile of intraoperative glycemic CV were 1.833 times (OR 1.833, 95% CI: 1.132–2.967, p = 0.014), and patients in the fourth quartile of intraoperative glycemic CV were 3.645 times (OR 3.645, 95% CI: 2.235–5.944, p < 0.001) more likely to develop POD than those in the first quartile of intraoperative glycemic CV.

Conclusion

Intraoperative blood glucose fluctuation, manifested by intraoperative GV, is associated with POD after cardiac surgery. Patients with a higher intraoperative GV have an increased risk of POD.