Postoperative delirium - treatment and prevention

Post-anesthesia care unit delirium in children with moyamoya disease undergoing indirect revascularization: incidence and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Delirium in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) may be associated with worse outcomes in children with moyamoya disease (MMD). This retrospective study aimed to describe the prevalence of PACU delirium in children with MMD and investigate its risk factors.

METHODS

Patients with MMD aged < 15 years who underwent indirect revascularization between January 2014 and October 2023 were included in this study. Delirium was assessed using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale. Potential risk factors for PACU delirium were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

PACU delirium occurred in 245 (33%) of the 750 hemispheric procedures performed in 522 patients. Delirium was associated with a higher incidence in patients undergoing the first revascularization (37%) than in those undergoing the second (25%; P = 0.002). Cerebral infarction as the initial presentation (odds ratio [OR]: 4.64, first revascularization), high pediatric moyamoya magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score (OR: 2.75, first revascularization; OR: 3.50, second revascularization), and high intraoperative mean arterial pressure variability (mmHg/min) (OR: 9.17, first revascularization; OR: 8.82, second revascularization) were associated with PACU delirium. Conversely, total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) was associated with a lower incidence of PACU delirium (OR: 0.46, first revascularization; OR: 0.25, second revascularization).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of patients with MMD developed delirium in the PACU. High intraoperative blood pressure variability and preoperative MRI lesions are independent risk factors for PACU delirium in children with MMD. TIVA may exert a protective effect against PACU delirium. Further studies are required to clarify the causality of these associations.

Mapping the Nursing Literature on Postoperative Delirium: A Bibliometric Analysis

PURPOSE

To provide a structured, macroscopic overview of nursing research on postoperative delirium through bibliometric analysis, assessing its characteristics and progress.

DESIGN

Bibliometric analysis study.

METHODS

For the bibliometric analysis study, the Web of Science database was selected, and the data analyzed was included until August 28, 2024. The analysis was performed using the "Biblioshiny" application available in the Bibliometrix R package.

FINDINGS

Between 1977 and 2024, 535 nursing articles on postoperative delirium were published in 313 sources. When examining the annual scientific output of nursing studies on postoperative delirium, the most prolific journals were found to be Journal of Clinical Nursing (n = 18), Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing (n = 13), and Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (n = 13). According to Bradford's law-based analyses, there are 313 productive journals in the nursing literature on postoperative delirium. These journals are distributed as follows: 29 in the first zone, 108 in the second zone, and 176 in the third zone. Authors and articles were organized according to Lotka's law. The majority (88.9%) of the authors (n = 2,486) had 1 article, 8.7% had 2 articles (n = 243), and 1.5% had 3 articles (n = 43), while 0.2% (n = 7) had more than 5 publications. Recent trends show a shift toward research on recovery, guidelines, and 3 outcomes, with studies on experience, impact, and cardiac surgery. The countries with the highest number of publications were identified as the United States, Germany, and China. Global collaborations on this topic were: United States-Canada (n = 8), United States-Germany (n = 7), United States -United Kingdom (n = 7).

CONCLUSIONS

This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive and integrative review of the global literature on postoperative delirium in nursing.

Pharmacological Prevention of Postoperative Delirium in Adults: A Review of Recent Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication that has important implications for surgical patients, often leading to both short- and long-term cognitive deficits, worse outcomes, and increased healthcare costs. Given these implications, there may be a benefit in reducing the incidence of POD. Pharmacologic interventions may have the potential to reduce the risk of a patient developing POD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recently studied therapies include dexmedetomidine, propofol, haloperidol, ketamine, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, acetaminophen, melatonin/ramelteon, corticosteroids, midazolam, physostigmine, and neostigmine. In addition, the implementation of regional anesthesia and reduction of overall anesthetic depth have been examined. Of these therapies, dexmedetomidine has been studied the most and has the most supporting evidence for prevention of POD, but current studies lack clarity on optimal dosing and timing of dexmedetomidine administration. Acetaminophen, corticosteroids, and melatonin/ramelteon are other plausible medications that have potential for reducing POD incidence, but they all require further investigation. Reduction of anesthetic depth and regional anesthetics are options for anesthetic management that show promise but still lack enough supporting evidence in recent literature to receive a strong recommendation. Future research should focus on identifying optimal strategies for the implementation of the pharmacological options listed, including doses and timing of administration. Attention should be given to dexmedetomidine given its promise demonstrated by recent literature.

Glucose-to-Albumin Ratio as a New Predictive Indicator for Postoperative Delirium in Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients

BACKGROUND

Predicting postoperative delirium (POD) in patients who have hip fractures is challenging due to its complex mechanism. Therefore, there is a critical need to explore and evaluate a novel predictive indicator.

METHODS

There were four hematological markers independently associated with POD that were utilized to construct and evaluate a more reliable predictive indicator for POD. The study employed random sampling, dividing the data into training and validation cohorts in a 7:3 ratio. The strength of association between each predictive indicator and POD was assessed using multivariable logistic analysis and propensity score matching analysis. Predictive indicators with significant correlations underwent receiver operating characteristic curve and characteristic parameter comparisons to identify the optimal predictive indicator. Subsequent validation included the assessment of discriminative ability, correlation, and predictive performance. Furthermore, subgroup analysis was conducted to explore potential interactions. A total of 1,807 patients were included in this study, with a POD incidence rate of 16.5%.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic analysis and propensity score matching analysis demonstrated that the glucose-to-albumin ratio (GAR) was independently positively associated with POD. Specifically, for every 0.1 unit increase in preoperative GAR levels in hip fracture patients, the risk of POD increased by 1.6 times. The receiver operating characteristic curve curve indicated that the optimal cutoff value for the GAR was 0.2, with an area under the curve of 0.8, sensitivity of 81.2%, and specificity of 59.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative GAR has a certain predictive value for the occurrence of POD and can function as a novel indicator for predicting POD in geriatric hip fracture patients.

Electroacupuncture and Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder in Older Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a critical concern for older patients undergoing cardiac surgery, impacting cognitive function and quality of life. Electroacupuncture and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) hold promise for mitigating PND. This protocol outlines a systematic review and meta-analysis to thoroughly assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture and TEAS in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery with PND, providing up-to-date evidence for PND prevention and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to thoroughly assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture and TEAS in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery with PND, providing up-to-date evidence for PND prevention and treatment.

METHODS

A comprehensive and systematic approach will be used to identify eligible studies from a diverse range of electronic databases, including 9 major sources such as PubMed (NLM) and Cochrane (Wiley), as well as 2 clinical trial registration websites. These studies will focus on investigating the effects of electroacupuncture and TEAS on PND in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The study selection will adhere to the criteria outlined in the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome, and studies (PICOS) format. Data extraction will be carried out by 2 independent researchers (YP and LS), using established tools to evaluate the risk of bias. The primary outcome will be PND incidence, with secondary outcomes including Mini Mental State Examination scores, neuron-specific enolase, S100β, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, time to first flatus, first defecation, bowel sound recovery, and hospitalization duration to be selectively reported. Adverse events linked to acupuncture, such as bleeding, needle site pain, and local reactions, rather than serious adverse events, will also be considered. Meta-analysis will be performed using appropriate statistical methods to assess the overall effect of electroacupuncture and TEAS on PND prevention, treatment, or other relevant outcomes. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool will be used for assessment, and data synthesis will be executed using the RevMan 5.4 software (Cochrane).

RESULTS

We plan to summarize the eligible studies through the use of a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart. The findings will be showcased in the form of a summary table of evidence. Figures and forest plots will be used to illustrate the outcomes of the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The impacts of electroacupuncture and TEAS interventions on PND in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery have not yet been established. This protocol addresses a critical gap by thoroughly assessing electroacupuncture and TEAS for PND in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery, enhancing understanding of nonpharmacological interventions, and guiding future research and clinical practices in this field. Its strength lies in rigorous methodology, including comprehensive search strategies, independent review processes, and thorough assessments of the risk of bias.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42023411927; https://tinyurl.com/39xdz6jb.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/55996.

Association Between Preoperative Long-Term Poor Sleep Quality and Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Multi-Center Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common complication in elderly patients after cardiac surgery, and sleep disorders have been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, few studies have explored the link between long-term preoperative poor sleep quality and postoperative delirium (POD) in this population. This study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative sleep quality and POD in elderly cardiac surgery patients.

METHODS

The study enrolled 194 patients aged 60 years or older who underwent cardiac surgery. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) objectively assessed preoperative sleep quality, while the Confusion Assessment Method screened for POD. The measurable outcomes encompassed the identification of risk factors associated with POD, while the secondary outcomes focused on factors influencing levels of consciousness. The statistical analysis is logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with POD had a higher prevalence of preoperative sleep disorders and higher PSQI scores than those without delirium (12.9 ± 5.1 vs 7.8 ± 3.4, P = .007). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the number of months with high PSQI scores and age were significantly associated with POD. The predictive ability of the number of months with high PSQI scores for POD was .762 (95% CI: .671-.854). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that preoperative sleep disorder was a significant predictor of exacerbation of POD (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that long-term poor preoperative sleep quality, as assessed by the PSQI, is associated with an increased risk of POD in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Risk stratification and predictive modeling of postoperative delirium in chronic subdural hematoma

Background- Postoperative delirium is a common complication associated with the elderly, causing increased morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. However, its risk factors in chronic subdural hematoma patients have not been well studied. Methods- A total of 202 consecutive patients with chronic subdural hematoma at Peking University Third Hospital between January 2018 and January 2023 were enrolled. Various clinical indicators were analyzed to identify independent risk factors for postoperative delirium using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Delirium risk prediction models were developed as a nomogram and a Markov chain. Results- Out of the 202 patients (age, 71 (IQR, 18); female-to-male ratio, 1:2.7) studied, 63 (31.2%) experienced postoperative delirium. Univariate analysis identified age (p < 0.001), gender (p = 0.014), restraint belt use (p < 0.001), electrolyte imbalance (p < 0.001), visual analog scale score (p < 0.001), hematoma thickness (p < 0.001), midline shift (p < 0.001), hematoma side (p = 0.013), hematoma location (p = 0.018), and urinal catheterization (p = 0.028) as significant factors. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the significance of restraint belt use (B = 7.657, p < 0.001), electrolyte imbalance (B = -3.993, p = 0.001), visual analog scale score (B = 2.331, p = 0.016), and midline shift (B = 0.335, p = 0.007). Hematoma thickness and age had no significant impact. Conclusion- Increased midline shift and visual analog scale scores, alongside restraint belt use and electrolyte imbalance elevate delirium risk in chronic subdural hematoma surgery. Our prediction models may offer reference value in this context.

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.

Intraoperative EEG-based monitors: are we looking under the lamppost?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

While electroencephalogram (EEG)-based depth of anesthesia monitors have been in use clinically for decades, there is still a major debate concerning their efficacy for detecting awareness under anesthesia (AUA). Further utilization of these monitors has also been discussed vividly, for example, reduction of postoperative delirium (POD).It seems that with regard to reducing AUA and POD, these monitors might be applicable, under specific anesthetic protocols. But in other settings, such monitoring might be less contributive and may have a 'built-it glass ceiling'.Recent advances in other venues of electrophysiological monitoring might have a strong theoretical rationale, and early supporting results, to offer a breakthrough out of this metaphorical glass ceiling. The purpose of this review is to present this possibility.

RECENT FINDINGS

Following previous findings, it might be concluded that for some anesthesia protocols, the prevailing depth of anesthesia monitors may prevent incidences of AUA and POD. However, in other settings, which may involve other anesthesia protocols, or specifically for POD - other perioperative causes, they may not. Attention-related processes measured by easy-to-use real-time electrophysiological markers are becoming feasible, also under anesthesia, and might be applicable for more comprehensive prevention of AUA, POD and possibly other perioperative complications.

SUMMARY

Attention-related monitoring might have a strong theoretical basis for the prevention of AUA, POD, and potentially other distressing postoperative outcomes, such as stroke and postoperative neurocognitive disorder. There seems to be already some initial supporting evidence in this regard.

Peripheral cholinesterase activity is not correlated with postoperative delirium in urological surgery

The value of biomarkers, such as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, for guiding perioperative patients suffering from postoperative delirium and/or (possibly related) postoperative cognitive dysfunction is unclear. Only recently have different biomarkers are being explored to assess postoperative delirium's occurrence and/or course. The aim of this work is to investigate whether acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase can help detect increased risks of the development and course of postoperative delirium in urological patients undergoing surgery. In total, 45 urology patients were screened. During five perioperative time points (meaning preoperative and postoperative), acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase concentrations from serum were correlated with three perioperative postoperative delirium and two perioperative postoperative cognitive dysfunction investigations. Results showed neither a significant decline of either acetylcholinesterase or butyrylcholinesterase concentration before and after surgery, nor a significant correlation with postoperative delirium. Furthermore, significant postoperative cognitive dysfunction could not be detected in this perioperative urological collective.

The Impact of Regional Nerve Blocks on Postoperative Delirium or Cognitive Dysfunction following Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Regional nerve blocks (NBs) mitigate the occurrence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and postoperative delirium (POD) in adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery. This study aimed to determine the exact effect of NBs on POCD and POD. Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched for studies. The primary outcome was the incidence of POD or POCD. The secondary outcome was pain scores assessed 24 and 48 h postoperatively. We calculated the log odds ratio (LOR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The LOR was converted to an odds ratio (OR). In the analysis of 1010 patients from seven randomized controlled trials, POD and POCD rates were 14.1% and 16.7%, respectively, in the NB group, and higher, at 27.3% and 35.2%, in the control group. NBs reduced the incidence of POD (OR, 0.44; 95%CI 0.30 to 0.64; p < 0.001; I2 = 0.00%) and POCD (OR, 0.43; 95%CI 0.24 to 0.76; p < 0.001; I2 = 0.00%). NBs reduced pain scores at 24 h (SMD, -2.60; 95%CI -3.90 to -1.30, p < 0.001; I2 = 97.68%) and 48 h (SMD, -1.80; 95%CI -3.18 to -0.41, p = 0.01; I2 = 98.14%) postoperatively. NBs mitigated the occurrence of POD and POCD in adult patients after thoracic surgery.

Predicting postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgeries from preoperative portable electroencephalography oscillations

Introduction

Postoperative delirium (POD) is common and life-threatening, however, with intensive interventions, a potentially preventable clinical syndrome. Although electroencephalography (EEG) is a promising biomarker of delirium, standard 20-leads EEG holds difficulties for screening usage in clinical practice.

Objective

We aimed to develop an accurate algorithm to predict POD using EEG data obtained from portable device.

Methods

We recruited 128 patients who underwent scheduled cardiovascular surgery. Cognitive function assessments were conducted, and portable EEG recordings were obtained prior to surgery.

Results

Among the patients, 47 (36.7%) patients with POD were identified and they did not significantly differ from patients without POD in sex ratio, age, cognitive function, or treatment duration of intensive care unit. However, significant differences were observed in the preoperative EEG power spectrum densities at various frequencies, especially gamma activity, between patients with and without POD. POD was successfully predicted using preoperative EEG data with a machine learning algorithm, yielding accuracy of 86% and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93.

Discussion

This study provides new insights into the objective and biological vulnerability to delirium. The developed algorithm can be applied in general hospitals without advanced equipment and expertise, thereby enabling the reduction of POD occurrences with intensive interventions for high-risk patients.

Risk factors associated with postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing hip surgery

Objective

We retrospectively analyzed the occurrence of postoperative delirium following hip surgery and the associated risk factors. The aim was to establish a clinical foundation for preventing postoperative delirium after hip surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively selected elderly patients who had hip surgery at our hospital between January 2022 and August 2022. We included patients who experienced delirium in the observation group and those who did not encounter delirium in the control group. We then proceeded to compare various indicators among these two groups of patients.

Results

We analyzed a total of 97 cases of hip surgery, and among them, 32 cases experienced postoperative delirium, resulting in an incidence rate of 32.9%. Various factors were found to be linked to the development of postoperative delirium, including age, height, gender (male), preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), postoperative ESR, preoperative lactate levels, pain scores on the first day after surgery, type of surgical procedure, and the occurrence of delirium in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU delirium). Additionally, it was observed that 75% of patients who had PACU delirium also experienced postoperative delirium.

Conclusion

Postoperative delirium in patients who have hip surgery had an incidence rate of 32.9%. This phenomenon is linked to various factors that pose a risk, such as the patient age, height, gender, preoperative ESR levels, postoperative ESR levels, preoperative lactate levels, pain scores on the day following surgery, and the specific surgical procedure performed. The likelihood of experiencing delirium increases by 12% for every additional 10 years in patient age. Additionally, the occurrence of delirium in the PACU is a strong indicator of the likelihood of experiencing postoperative delirium.

The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) as an Independent Prognostic Factor for Patients ≥80 Years with Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO)

BACKGROUND

SBO is a potentially life-threatening condition that often affects older patients. Frailty, more than age, is expected to play a crucial role in predicting SBO prognosis in this population. This study aims to define the influence of Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) on mortality and major complications in patients ≥80 years with diagnosis of SBO at the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

All patients aged ≥80 years admitted to our ED for SBO from January 2015 to September 2020 were enrolled. Frailty was assessed through the CFS, and then analyzed both as a continuous and a dichotomous variable. The endpoints were in-hospital mortality and major complications.

RESULTS

A total of 424 patients were enrolled. Higher mortality (20.8% vs 8.6%, p<0.001), longer hospital stay (9 [range 5-14] days vs 7 [range 4-12] days, p=0.014), and higher rate of major complications (29.9% vs 17.9%, p=0.004) were associated with CFS ≥7. CFS score and bloodstream infection were the only independent prognostic factors for mortality (OR 1.72 [CI: 1.29-2.29], p<0.001; OR 4.69 [CI: 1.74-12.6], p=0.002, respectively). Furthermore, CFS score, male sex and surgery were predictive factors for major complications (OR 1.41 [CI: 1.13-1.75], p=0.002; OR 1.67 [CI: 1.03-2.71], p=0.038); OR 1.91 [CI: 1.17-3.12], p=0.01; respectively). At multivariate analysis, for every 1-point increase in CFS score, the odds of mortality and the odds of major complications increased 1.72-fold and 1.41-fold, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The increase in CFS is directly associated with an increased risk of mortality and major complications. The presence of severe frailty could effectively predict an increased risk of in-hospital death regardless of the treatment administered. The employment of CFS in elderly patients could help the identification of the need for closer monitoring and proper goals of care.

Association between preoperative on-site CCU visits and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication after cardiac surgery (CS), with symptoms like attention disorders and even delays patients' recovery.

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of preoperative on-site visits in the cardiac care unit (CCU) on POD after CS.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients admitted to the CCU with extracorporeal CS were included in the visiting or non-visiting group according to whether they were on visiting week. The visiting group received a preoperative visit from a nurse-led multidisciplinary visiting team (including CCU nurses and physicians) 1 week before surgery in addition to standard care. The non-visiting group received standard care like unstructured information from the CS team and anesthesiologists and so on. The Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) were used to evaluate the POD severity. The incidence, occurrence and duration of POD, as well as the CCU length of stay, postoperative mechanical ventilation duration and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 735 participants (369 in the visited group and 366 in the unvisited group) were included in this study. Preoperative on-site visits were associated with a decreased POD incidence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.524, 95% CI: 0.336-0.817), an improved POD severity (OR: 0.578, 95% CI: 0.359-0.932) and a shortening POD duration (OR: 0.972, 95% CI: 0.951-0.994). There was a significant difference between the visiting and non-visiting groups in the mechanical ventilation duration (OR: 0.987, 95% CI: 0.978-0.996).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative on-site visits are associated with a reduction in the incidence, duration, and severity of POD, as well as the mechanical ventilation duration of patients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study found that preoperative on-site visits were associated with the onset, duration, severity and duration of mechanical ventilation of POD. Although many factors influence the occurrence of POD, a multidisciplinary visiting team led by a nurse (including CCU nurses and physicians) can provide early nursing interventions through preoperative visits, better obtain postoperative cooperation from patients, establish a good nurse-patient relationship and provide better health services to patients. In a realistic CCU setting, nurses and physicians can act as educators, assessing patients before surgery, enhancing preoperative education, improving patient familiarity with the CCU environment and teaching sign language communication skills when patients are mechanically ventilated. These findings can therefore provide the basis for effective clinical care to prevent postoperative POD.

Effects of perioperative intravenous glucocorticoids on perioperative neurocognitive disorders in adults after surgery: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown uncertain clinical benefits from perioperative intravenous glucocorticoids for perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND). Thus, this meta-analysis was performed to evaluate whether perioperative intravenous glucocorticoids can decrease the occurrence of PND among adults undergoing surgery.

METHODS

We searched 4 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL and Web of Science) for RCTs that assessed the incidence of PND in adults (aged ≥ 18 years old) after surgery. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in each study. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADEpro software.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies (N = 14,967) were eligible. Compared with controls, glucocorticoids were not associated with reducing the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) (risk ratio [RR]: 0.79 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-1.55, P = .50, I2 = 85%), risk of postoperative delirium (POD) (RR: 0.87 95% CI: 0.74-1.03, P = .10, I2 = 36%), the length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) (mean difference [MD] -0.21 95% CI: -1.20 to 0.79, P = .68, I2 = 84%), 30-day mortality (RR: 0.92 95% CI: 0.59-1.46, P = .73, I2 = 0%), or postoperative atrial fibrillation (RR: 0.94 95% CI: 0.86-1.01, P = .11, I2 = 25%). However, there was significant difference between glucocorticoids and control group in the length of hospital stay (LOS) (MD: -0.39 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.16, P = .001, I2 = 0%), and postoperative infections (RR: 0.65 95% CI: 0.56-0.76, P < .00001, I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative intravenous glucocorticoids did not reduce the risk of PND in adults after surgery but might be associated with shorter the LOS and lower the incidence of postoperative infections. More, larger, higher-quality RCTs including neurological surgery or hip fracture surgery and different doses of glucocorticoids compared with placebos are needed to explore the intervention effects.

Frailty assessment as independent prognostic factor for patients ≥65 years undergoing urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate, in a prospective observational cohort study of adults ≥65 years old, the frailty status at the emergency department (ED) admission for the in-hospital death risk stratification of patients needing urgent cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Clinical variables and frailty status assessed in the ED were evaluated for the association with major complications and the need for open surgery. The parameters evaluated were frailty, comorbidities, physiological parameters, surgical approach, and laboratory values at admission. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for poor outcomes.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 358 patients aged ≥65 years [median age 74 years]; 190 males (53.1%)]. Overall, 259 patients (72.4%) were classified as non-frail, and 99 (27.6%) as frail. The covariate-adjusted analysis revealed that frailty (P< 0.001), and open surgery (P = 0.015) were independent predictors of major complications. Frailty, peritonitis, constipation at ED admission, and Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 4 were associated with higher odds of open surgical approach (2.06 [1.23 - 3.45], 2.49 [1.13 - 5.48], 11.59 [2.26 - 59.55], 2.45 [1.49 - 4.02]; respectively).

DISCUSSION

In patients aged ≥65 years undergoing urgent cholecystectomy, the evaluation of functional status in the ED could predict the risk of open surgical approach and major complications. Frail patients have an increased risk both for major complications and need for "open" surgical approach.

Hot Spots for the Use of Intranasal Insulin: Cerebral Ischemia, Brain Injury, Diabetes Mellitus, Endocrine Disorders and Postoperative Delirium

A decrease in the activity of the insulin signaling system of the brain, due to both central insulin resistance and insulin deficiency, leads to neurodegeneration and impaired regulation of appetite, metabolism, endocrine functions. This is due to the neuroprotective properties of brain insulin and its leading role in maintaining glucose homeostasis in the brain, as well as in the regulation of the brain signaling network responsible for the functioning of the nervous, endocrine, and other systems. One of the approaches to restore the activity of the insulin system of the brain is the use of intranasally administered insulin (INI). Currently, INI is being considered as a promising drug to treat Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The clinical application of INI is being developed for the treatment of other neurodegenerative diseases and improve cognitive abilities in stress, overwork, and depression. At the same time, much attention has recently been paid to the prospects of using INI for the treatment of cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injuries, and postoperative delirium (after anesthesia), as well as diabetes mellitus and its complications, including dysfunctions in the gonadal and thyroid axes. This review is devoted to the prospects and current trends in the use of INI for the treatment of these diseases, which, although differing in etiology and pathogenesis, are characterized by impaired insulin signaling in the brain.

Non-pharmacological prevention of postoperative delirium by occupational therapy teams: A randomized clinical trial

Background

Patients who develop postoperative delirium (POD) have several clinical complications, such as increased morbidity, increased hospital stays, higher hospital costs, cognitive and functional impairment, and higher mortality. POD is a clinical condition preventable by standard non-pharmacological measures An intensive Occupational Therapy (OT) intervention has been shown to be highly effective in preventing delirium in critically ill medical patients, but it is unknown the effect in surgical patients. Thus, we designed a prospective clinical study with the aim to determine whether patients undergoing intervention by the OT team have a lower incidence of POD compared to the group treated only with standard measures.

Methods

A multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted between October 2018 and April 2021, in Santiago of Chile, at a university hospital and at a public hospital. Patients older than 75 years undergoing elective major surgery were eligible for the trial inclusion. Patients with cognitive impairment, severe communication disorder and cultural language limitation, delirium at admission or before surgery, and enrolled in another study were excluded. The intervention consisted of OT therapy twice a day plus standard internationally recommended non-pharmacological prevention intervention during 5 days after surgery. Our primary outcome was development of delirium and postoperative subsyndromal delirium.

Results

In total 160 patients were studied. In the interventional group, treated with an intensive prevention by OT, nine patients (12.9%) developed delirium after surgery and in the control group four patients (5.5%) [p = 0.125, RR 2.34 CI 95 (0.75-7.27)]. Whereas subsyndromal POD was present in 38 patients in the control group (52.1%) and in 34 (48.6%) in the intervention group [p = 0.4, RR 0.93 CI95 (0.67-1.29)]. A post hoc analysis determined that the patient's comorbidity and cognitive status prior to hospitalization were the main risk factors to develop delirium after surgery.

Discussion

Patients undergoing intervention by the OT team did not have a lower incidence of POD compared to the group treated only with standard non-pharmacological measures in adults older than 75 years who went for major surgery.

Clinical trial registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03704090.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for the prevention of postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients.

Methods

PubMed, CENTRAL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were searched for randomized controlled trials regarding the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on preventing postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing any type of surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium. The secondary outcome was the duration of postoperative delirium. All analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 13.0 software.

Results

Twelve trials with 991 participants were included, and most of them were at high/unclear risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation could reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium (RR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.29 to 0.55, p < 0.00001) and shorten the duration of postoperative delirium (MD = -0.97 days, 95%CI = -1.72 to -0.22, p = 0.01). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery and thoracic surgery, but not digestive surgery; transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation with dilatational wave and with continuous wave were both beneficial; and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation was favored when compared to blank and sham control.

Conclusion

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation could reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium and shorten the duration of postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients. The findings should be interpreted with caution due to weak evidence. High-quality, large sample, and multi-center trials are needed to further confirm the preliminary findings.Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-7-0096/, identifier: INPLASY202270096.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

AIMS

This trial aims to assess whether dexmedetomidine can reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly orthopaedic patients and explore the specific mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a common complication after orthopaedic surgery that results in poor prognosis and increases the length of hospital stays and costs. Dexmedetomidine has been confirmed as a drug that can improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction in some studies. However, to date, the specific mechanism by which dexmedetomidine improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction is still elusive.

METHODS/DESIGN

A single-centre, prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial will be conducted at Hebei General Hospital. Ninety-six elderly patients who undergo total hip or knee replacement will be studied in this trial and randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the experimental group will receive a loading dose of 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine for 10 min and then a maintenance dose of 0.5 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine until 30 min before the end of the operation, and patients in the control group will be infused with an equal volume of normal saline. The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction will be the primary outcome. Changes in the balance of T helper 17 cell and regulatory T cell; the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9, S-100β, IL-17A, and IL-10; perioperative complications; hospitalization duration; and intraoperative blood loss will be the secondary outcomes.

DISCUSSION

The consequences of this trial will show that dexmedetomidine can improve postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly orthopaedic patients, which may be related to the balance of T helper 17/regulatory T cells.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200055802 . Registered on 20 January 2022.

Effect of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Purpose

The aim of the study was to determine whether perioperative dexmedetomidine administration can improve postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Patients and Methods

This was a prospective double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in Cangzhou Central Hospital from December 2021 to March 2022. Patients aged 65 and older underwent oral and maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to dexmedetomidine or control group. Dexmedetomidine was injected intravenously from 10 min before induction of anesthesia to 30 min before the end of surgery in dexmedetomidine group, while patients in the control group were given normal saline at the same rate during the same time period. The primary measurement indicators were the incidence and duration of delirium in the first five days after surgery. The secondary measurement indicators were Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for the first 24 hours following surgery, subjective sleep quality score within 24 hours postoperatively and intraoperative adverse reactions.

Results

One hundred and twenty patients were randomly assigned. Baseline characteristics were similar between two groups. The incidence and duration of postoperative delirium did not differ statistically between two groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with control group, VAS scores in dexmedetomidine group were significantly lower at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery (all P < 0.05); moreover, Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) results were significantly improved 1 day after surgery in dexmedetomidine group (P < 0.05). Dexmedetomidine-related adverse reactions were similar in both groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 10 min before induction of anesthesia to half an hour before the end of surgery did not improve postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery; however, dexmedetomidine may be associated with decreased postoperative pain and improved postoperative sleep quality.

A systematic review of strategies for preventing delirium in patients undergoing vascular surgery

OBJECTIVES

Elderly patients undergoing vascular surgery are at risk of developing postoperative delirium, which is associated with a high mortality. Delirium prevention is difficult and is investigated in surgical patients from various specialisms, but little is known about delirium prevention in vascular surgery. For this reason we performed a systematic review on strategies for delirium prevention in patients undergoing elective surgery for peripheral arterial disease or for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.

METHODS

This systematic review included studies describing strategies for preventing delirium in patients undergoing elective surgery for peripheral arterial disease or for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The search was conducted using the keywords 'vascular surgery', 'prevention' and 'delirium', and was last run on October 21st, 2021 in the electronic databases Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane library and Emcare. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials and the ROBINS-1 tool for observational studies.

RESULTS

Four studies including 565 patients were included in the systematic review. A significant decrease in the incidence of delirium was reported by a study investigating the effect of comprehensive geriatric assessments within patients undergoing surgery for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or lower limb bypass surgery (24% in the control group versus 11% in the intervention group, p = 0.018), and in the total group of a study evaluating the effect of outpatient clinic multimodal prehabilitation for patients with an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (11.7% in the control group versus 8.2% in the intervention group, p = 0.043, OR = 0.56). A non-significant decrease in delirium incidence was described for patients receiving a multidisciplinary quality improvement at the vascular surgical ward (21.4% in the control group versus 14.6% in the intervention group, p = 0.17). The study concerning the impact of the type of anaesthesia on delirium in eleven older vascular surgical patients, of which three developed delirium, did not differentiate between the different types of anaesthesia the patients received.

CONCLUSION

Despite the high and continuous increasing incidence of delirium in the growing elderly vascular population, little is known about effective preventive strategies. An approach to address multiple risk factors simultaneously seems to be promising in delirium prevention, whether through multimodal prehabilitation or comprehensive geriatric assessments. Several strategies including prehabilitation programs have been proven to be successful in other types of surgery and more research is required to evaluate effective preventive strategies and prehabilitation programs in vascular surgical patients.

Spectral Entropy Monitoring Accelerates the Emergence from Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Thoracic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The clinical efficacy of spectral entropy monitoring in improving postoperative recovery remains unclear. This trial aimed to investigate the impact of M-Entropy (GE Healthcare, Helsinki, Finland) guidance on emergence from anesthesia and postoperative delirium in thoracic surgery. Adult patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung resection at a medical center were randomly allocated into the M-Entropy guidance group (n = 39) and the control group (n = 37). In the M-Entropy guidance group, sevoflurane anesthesia was titrated to maintain response and state entropy values between 40 and 60 intraoperatively. In the control group, the dosing of sevoflurane was adjusted based on clinical judgment and vital signs. The primary outcome was time to spontaneous eye opening. M-Entropy guidance significantly reduced the time proportion of deep anesthesia (entropy value <40) during surgery, mean difference: −21.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): −32.7 to −10.3) for response entropy and −24.2% (−36.3 to −12.2) for state entropy. M-Entropy guidance significantly shortened time to spontaneous eye opening compared to clinical signs, mean difference: −154 s (95% CI: −259 to −49). In addition, patients of the M-Entropy group had a lower rate of emergence agitation (absolute risk reduction: 0.166, 95% CI: 0.005−0.328) and delirium (0.245, 0.093−0.396) at the postanesthesia care unit. M-Entropy-guided anesthesia hastened awakening and potentially prevented emergence agitation and delirium after thoracic surgery. These results may provide an implication for facilitating postoperative recovery and reducing the complications associated with delayed emergence and delirium.

Association Between Hypernatremia and Delirium After Cardiac Surgery: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background

The association between hypernatremia and delirium after cardiac surgery has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to determine whether hypernatremia increases the risk of delirium after exposure.

Materials and Methods

From April 2016 to June 2021, 7,831 consecutive patients receiving cardiac surgery were screened for potential enrollment. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium (POD). For the respective case of delirium, 10 controls were matched according to the index date within the nested case-control design. Hypernatremia exposure was defined as serum sodium > 145 mmol/L within 7 days before the index date. A generalized estimation equation was performed to assess excess risks for POD associated with hypernatremia, adjusted for demographics and clinical variables.

Results

About 7,277 patients were included in the final analyses. About 669 (9.2%) patients with POD were assigned to the case group, and 6,690 controls were identified from the whole population. About 66.5% of the cases and 36.3% of the controls had hypernatremia exposure. After being adjusted to certain well-recognized confounding factors, hypernatremia showed a significant correlation with increased risk of delirium after cardiac surgery (adjusted OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.41~2.12). An e-value analysis suggested the robustness to unmeasured confounding.

Conclusions

Hypernatremia was associated with an increased risk of delirium after cardiac surgery. This finding could have implications for risk stratification, early detection, and management of delirium in patients receiving cardiac surgery.

A Non-Linear Relationship between Preoperative Total Bilirubin Level and Postoperative Delirium Incidence after Liver Transplantation

This study aimed to explore the correlation between preoperative total bilirubin (TBil) level and postoperative delirium (POD) in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). All the OLT consecutively performed between April 2019 and March 2021 were retrospectively reviewed with data retrieved from a prospectively collected database. Logistic regression model and generalized additive model were used to identify both linear and non-linear relationships between TBil and POD. A two-piecewise regression model was performed to calculate the saturation effect. Subgroup analyses were performed using stratified logistic regression models. A total of 402 recipients were enrolled. After fully adjusted for covariates, TBil was indicated to have a non-linear relationship with POD. The two-piecewise regression model showed the inflection point was 20 mg/dL. On the left side of the inflection point, the incidence of POD increased by 5% per 1 mg/dL increment of TBil (p = 0.026). On the right side of the inflection point, the effect size had no statistical significance (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.90–1.05; p = 0.482). The relationship between preoperative TBil level and POD incidence is non-linear in OLT recipients. The incidence of POD is positively correlated with TBil level when it is below 20 mg/dL. A saturation effect is observed when TBil level reaches 20 mg/dL.

Association between frailty and postoperative delirium: a meta-analysis of cohort study

BACKGROUND

Frailty has been suggested as a possible risk factor for postoperative delirium (POD). However, results of previous studies were not consistent. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort study to evaluate the above association.

METHODS

Relevant studies were obtained via systematic search of PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. Only studies with multivariate analysis were included. A random-effect model incorporating the potential heterogeneity was used to combine the results.

RESULTS

Fifteen cohort studies including 3250 adult patients who underwent surgery were included, and the prevalence of frailty was 27.1% (880/3250) before surgeries. Overall, POD occurred in 513 patients (15.8%). Pooled results showed that frailty was associated with a higher risk of POD (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 3.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.56-4.07, P < 0.001) without significant heterogeneity (P for Cochrane's Q test = 0.25, I² = 18%). Subgroup analyses showed a more remarkable association between frailty and POD in prospective cohort studies (OR: 3.64, 95% CI: 2.95-4.49, P < 0.001) than that in retrospective cohort studies (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.60-3.35, P < 0.001; P for subgroup difference = 0.04). Moreover, the association was not affected by country of the study, age group of the patient, elective or emergency surgeries, cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries, evaluation instruments for frailty, diagnostic methods for POD, or quality score of the study (P for subgroup difference all > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty may be associated with a higher risk of POD in adult population.

Influences of remote ischemic preconditioning on postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction in adults after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been suggested to confer neuroprotective effect. However, influences of RIPC on postoperative delirium (POD) and cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in adults after cardiac surgery are less known. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of RIPC on POD and POCD.

Methods

Relevant studies were obtained by search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane’s Library databases. A random-effect model was used to pool the results.

Results

Ten RCTs including 2303 adults who received cardiac surgery were included. Pooled results showed that RIPC did not significantly affect the incidence of POD (six RCTs, odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81 to 1.40, P = 0.65) with no significant heterogeneity (I² = 0%). In addition, combined results showed that RIPC did not significantly reduce the incidence of POCD either (six RCTs, OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.11, P = 0.11) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 44%). Sensitivity analysis by excluding one RCT at a time showed consistent results (P values all > 0.05).

Conclusions

Current evidence from RCTs did not support that RIPC could prevent the incidence of POD or POCD in adults after cardiac surgery. Although these findings may be validated in large-scale RCTs, particularly for the results of POCD, based on these findings, RIPC should not be routinely used as a preventative measure for POD and POCD in adult patients after cardiac surgery.

Postoperative blood pressure management in patients treated in the ICU after noncardiac surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Blood pressure management is a cornerstone of hemodynamic management in patients treated in the ICU after noncardiac surgery. Postoperative blood pressure management is challenging, because blood pressure alterations after surgery can be profound and have numerous causes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Postoperative blood pressure alterations are common in patients treated in ICUs after noncardiac surgery. There is increasing evidence that hypotension during the initial days after noncardiac surgery is associated with postoperative adverse outcomes including myocardial infarction and death, acute myocardial injury, acute kidney injury, major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events, and delirium. Thus, postoperative hypotension could be a modifiable risk factor for postoperative adverse outcomes. However, robust evidence for a causal relationship between postoperative blood pressure and postoperative adverse outcomes is still lacking.

SUMMARY

Future research on postoperative blood pressure management in patients treated in the ICU after noncardiac surgery needs to assess whether the prevention or treatment of postoperative blood pressure alterations - especially postoperative hypotension - reduces the incidence of postoperative adverse outcomes.

Assessment of preoperative frailty and identification of patients at risk for postoperative delirium in cardiac intensive care units: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication that may occur from 24 to 72 h after cardiac surgery. Frailty is a chronic syndrome that leads to a decline in physiological reserve and to disability. The associations between frailty and POD are unclear.

AIMS

To investigate associations between POD and frailty in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to analyse predictors of POD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Convenience sampling was used to recruit 152 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in two medical centres in northern Taiwan. Preoperative frailty in these patients was evaluated using Fried's frailty phenotype. Delirium in patients was assessed from postoperative day 1 to day 5 using the confusion assessment method for intensive care units. A total of 152 patients who underwent cardiac surgery included 68 (44.74%) prefrail patients and 21 (13.81%) patients with frailty after the surgery. Ten patients (6.58%) developed delirium after cardiac surgery. The occurrence of delirium peaked at postoperative day 2, and the average duration of delirium was 3 days. A case-control comparison revealed a significant correlation between preoperative frailty and POD. Significant predictors of POD in patients undergoing cardiac surgery included the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II, preoperative arrhythmia, and preoperative anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative frailty was correlated with POD. Preoperative arrhythmia, anxiety, and depression are predictors of POD. Nurses should perform preoperative assessments of surgical risk and physiological and psychological conditions of patients undergoing cardiac surgery and monitor the occurrence of POD.

(R)-Ketamine attenuates LPS-induced endotoxin-derived delirium through inhibition of neuroinflammation

RATIONALE

(R)-Ketamine produced beneficial effects in a variety of models of inflammatory diseases, including low dose of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (0.5-1.0 mg/kg)-induced endotoxemia. LPS-treated mice have been used as animal model of delirium.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of (R)-ketamine in neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in rodents after administration of high dose of LPS.

METHODS

LPS (5 mg/kg) or saline was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to mice. (R)-Ketamine (10 mg/kg) was administrated i.p. 24 h before and/or 10 min after LPS injection.

RESULTS

LPS (5.0 mg/kg) caused a remarkable splenomegaly and increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines [i.e., interleukin (IL-6), IL-17A, and interferon (IFN)-γ]. There were positive correlations between spleen weight and plasma cytokines levels. Furthermore, LPS led to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Moreover, LPS impaired the natural and learned behaviors, as demonstrated by a decrease in the number of mice's entries and duration in the novel arm in the Y maze test and an increase in the latency of mice to eat the food in the buried food test. Interestingly, the treatment with (R)-ketamine (twice 24 h before and 10 min after LPS injection) significantly attenuated LPS-induced splenomegaly, central and systemic inflammation, and cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlighted the importance of combined prophylactic and therapeutic use of (R)-ketamine in the attenuation of LPS-induced systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in mice. It is likely that (R)-ketamine could be a prophylactic drug for delirium.

Post-Operative All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Patients Undergoing Abdominal Emergency Surgery: Role of Charlson Comorbidity Index

(1) Background: The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score has been shown to predict 10-year all-cause mortality, but its validity is a matter of debate in surgical patients. We wanted to evaluate CCI on predicting all-cause mortality in elderly patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery (EAS); (2) Methods: This retrospective single center study included all patients aged 65 years or older consecutively admitted from January 2017 to December 2019, who underwent EAS and were discharged alive. CCI was calculated by using of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Our outcome was all-cause death recorded during the 20.8 ± 8.8 month follow-up; (3) Results: We evaluated 197 patients aged 78.4 ± 7.2 years of whom 47 (23.8%) died. Mortality was higher in patients who underwent open abdominal surgery than in those treated with laparoscopic procedure (74% vs. 26%, p < 0.001), and in those who needed colon, small bowel, and gastric surgery. Mean CCI was 4.98 ± 2.2, and in subjects with CCI ≥ 4 survival was lower. Cox regression analysis showed that CCI (HR 1.132, 95% CI 1.009–1.270, p = 0.035), and open surgery (HR 10.298, 95%CI 1.409–75.285, p = 0.022) were associated with all-cause death independently from age and sex; (4) Conclusions: Calculation of CCI, could help surgeons in the preoperative stratification of risk of death after discharge in subjects aged ≥65 years who need EAS. CCI ≥ 4, increases the risk of all-causes mortality independently from age.

The risk factors of postoperative delirium in general anesthesia patients with hip fracture: Attention needed

Delirium is a common postoperative complication of patients with hip fracture, yet the risk factors for postoperative delirium in patients with hip fracture remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the associated risk factors of postoperative delirium in patients with hip fracture, to provide evidence for formulating coping measures of postoperative delirium prevention and treatment in clinical practice.Patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture from March 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020 in our hospital were included. The related characteristics and related lab examination results were reviewed and collected. The univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the potential risk factors.A total of 462 patients were included, the incidence of postoperative delirium in patients with hip fracture was 16.02%. Logistic regression analyses indicated that history of delirium (OR = 4.38, 1.15-9.53), diabetes mellitus (OR = 5.31, 1.23-10.75), hypoalbuminemia (OR = 4.97, 1.37-9.86), postoperative hypoxemia (OR = 5.67, 2.24-13.42), and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) (OR = 3.03, 1.36-6.18) were the independent risk factors for the delirium in patients with hip fracture surgery (all P < 0.05). The cutoff value of postoperative blood sugar, albumin, and BMI for delirium prediction was 8.05 (mmol/L), 32.26 (g/L), and 19.35 (kg/m2), respectively, and the area under curve of postoperative blood sugar, albumin, and BMI was 0.792, 0.714, and 0.703, respectively.Those patients with a history of delirium, postoperative hypoxemia, blood glucose ≥8.05 mmol/L, albumin ≤32.26 g/L, and BMI ≤19.35 kg/m2 particularly need the attention of healthcare providers for the prevention of delirium.

Stratified delirium risk using prescription medication data in a state-wide cohort

OBJECTIVE

Delirium is a common condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Medication side effects are a possible source of modifiable delirium risk and provide an opportunity to improve delirium predictive models. This study characterized the risk for delirium diagnosis by applying a previously validated algorithm for calculating central nervous system adverse effect burden arising from a full medication list.

METHOD

Using a cohort of hospitalized adult (age 18-65) patients from the Massachusetts All-Payers Claims Database, we calculated medication burden following hospital discharge and characterized risk of new coded delirium diagnosis over the following 90 days. We applied the resulting model to a held-out test cohort.

RESULTS

The cohort included 62,180 individuals of whom 1.6% (1019) went on to have a coded delirium diagnosis. In the training cohort (43,527 individuals), the medication burden feature was positively associated with delirium diagnosis (OR = 5.75, 95% CI 4.34-7.63) and this association persisted (aOR = 1.95; 1.31-2.92) after adjusting for demographics, clinical features, prescribed medications, and anticholinergic risk score. In the test cohort, the trained model produced an area under the curve of 0.80 (0.78-0.82). This performance was similar across subgroups of age and gender.

CONCLUSION

Aggregating brain-related medication adverse effects facilitates identification of individuals at high risk of subsequent delirium diagnosis.