Dexmedetomidine for early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in elderly male patients with lung cancer

Prevalence and assessment tools of cancer-related cognitive impairment in lung cancer survivors: a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a significant risk factor influencing the quality of life in lung cancer survivors. No absolute assessment tool has been confirmed to assess CRCI in lung cancer survivors. This review was undertaken to pool the overall prevalence of CRCI and to summarize the assessment tools in assessing CRCI among lung cancer survivors.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and CNKI were searched to retrieve articles reported CRCI prevalence. Summary prevalence estimates were pooled using a random effects model, along with corresponding 95% prediction intervals (PIs). The Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation of proportions was incorporated in the analysis. Additionally, subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and leave-one-out analysis were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies, involving 1934 survivors, were included in the review. All of these studies were found to have a low risk of bias in terms of their methodological quality. Four studies (33.3%) utilized the International Cognition and Cancer Task Force (ICCTF) criteria to identify CRCI through neuropsychological tests. The pooled prevalence rate of CRCI was found to be 26% (95% PI, 16-37%), I2 = 95.97%. The region in which the studies were conducted was identified as a significant factor contributing to this heterogeneity (p = 0.013). No indication of small-study effects was found (Egger's test: p = 0.9191).

CONCLUSION

This review provides an overview of CRCI prevalence and assessment tools in lung cancer survivors. The findings can serve as epidemiological evidence to enhance clinicians' and researchers' understanding of early detection and assessment.

Application Effect of Dexmedetomidine and Dezocine in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Surgery under General Anesthesia and Analysis of Their Roles in Recovery Time and Cognitive Function

Objective. To explore the application influence of dexmedetomidine (DEX) and dezocine in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery under general anesthesia and analysis of their roles in recovery time and cognitive function. Methods. A total of 120 patients who accepted thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection in our hospital from November 2021 to April 2022 were selected and randomly divided into group A ( $n$  =60) and group B ( $n$  =60). DEX combined with dezocine-assisted anesthesia was performed to group A, and the equal dose of normal saline was administered to group B, so as to compare their inflammatory influence level, brain function, arterial blood gas index, and cognitive function. Results. Compared with group B, group A obtained significantly lower intraoperative and postoperative inflammatory factor levels ( $P<0.001$ ), better postoperative brain function and arterial blood gas index ( $P<0.001$ ), and lower Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) scores after surgery ( $P<0.001$ ). Combining DEX with dezocine-assisted general anesthesia can improve the inflammatory factors level of patients undergoing lung cancer surgery and maintain their brain function and oxygen saturation, so that they have better postoperative cognitive function. Therefore, such anesthesia modality should be promoted in practice.

The Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Perioperative Neurocognitive Outcomes After Noncardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

The purpose of this review is to examine the effect of dexmedetomidine on delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR; cognitive dysfunction ≥1 week postoperative) after major noncardiac surgery.

Background

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) effectively reduces delirium in the intensive care unit and reportedly attenuates cognitive decline following major noncardiac surgery. Ascertaining the true effect on postoperative cognition is difficult because studies are limited by suboptimal selection of cognitive assessment tools, timing of testing, and criteria for defining significant cognitive decline.

Methods

Prospective randomized trials comparing perioperative DEX to placebo for major noncardiac surgery assessing cognitive function ≥1 week postoperative were included. Pediatric, nonhuman, and non-English trials, and those where executive function was not assessed were excluded. Data were abstracted by 3 reviewers independently and in parallel according to PRISMA guidelines. The a priori binary primary outcome is dNCR defined as cognitive function declining by the minimal clinically important difference or accepted alternate measure (eg, Reliable Change Index ≥1.96). Bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Data were pooled using a random effects model.

Results

Among 287 citations identified, 26 (9%) met criteria for full-text retrieval. Eleven randomized trials (1233 participants) were included for qualitative analysis, and 7 trials (616 participants) were included for meta-analysis of dNCR. Dexmedetomidine did not reduce the incidence of dNCR significantly (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.30-1.10, P = 0.09) compared with placebo. There was no difference in the incidence of delirium (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.55-1.63, P = 0.83) and a higher incidence of hemodynamic instability (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.22-3.65, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine does not reduce dNCR 1 week after major noncardiac surgery. This meta-analysis does not yet support the use of perioperative DEX to improve short term cognitive outcomes at this time; trials underway may yet change this conclusion while larger trials are needed to refine the point estimate of effect and examine long-term cognitive outcomes.

The Influence of Different Dexmedetomidine Doses on Cognitive Function at Early Period of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Extensive Total Hysterectomy

Background

This study aims to analyze the influence of different dexmedetomidine doses on cognitive function. It works on early periods of patients undergoing laparoscopic extensive total hysterectomy.

Method

119 patients with gynecological cancer underwent a laparoscopic extensive total hysterectomy. The operation was performed at the Affiliated Women's and Children's Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2019 to June 2020. The score of MoCA and the level of TNF-α, IL-6, S-100β protein, NSE, and GFAP of each group were compared 1 day before and after operation and 3 and 7 days after operation.

Result

In four groups, remifentanil, sufentanil, and propofol were given in the following order: group A > group D > group C > group B. Group A > group D > group C in terms of time spent in the recovery room, extubation, and recovery from anesthesia. The difference between groups B and C was not significant (P > 0.05). Compared with group A, group B scored higher in MoCA at 1 day (T1), 3 days (T2), and 7 days (T3) after operation (P < 0.05). At the same scoring point, the score was group B > group C > group D > group A. The POCD of four groups all occurred at 3 days after surgery. Compared with the T0 point, the level of TNF-α and IL-6 of the four groups at T1 and T2 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). At T3, the level of TNF-α and IL-6 gradually decreased. At various periods, the levels of S-100 protein, NSE, and GFAP in groups B, C, and D were lower than those in group A (P0.05). Group B had a substantially higher rate of bradycardia than the other three groups (P0.05). The incidence of chills, respiratory depression, and restlessness in group A differed significantly from the other three groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Using 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine during the perianaesthesia can effectively reduce anesthetic drugs in patients. They had a laparoscopic extensive complete hysterectomy, which helps to reduce the adverse responses and the occurrence of POCD while also protecting brain function.

Review of the Physiology and Anesthetic Considerations for Pleuroscopy/Medical Thoracoscopy

Pleuroscopy or medical thoracoscopy is the second most common utilized procedure after bronchoscopy in the promising field of interventional pulmonology. Its main application is for the diagnosis and management of benign or malignant pleural effusions. Entry into the hemithorax is associated with pain and patient discomfort, whereas concurrently, notable pathophysiologic alterations occur. Therefore, frequently procedural sedation and analgesia is needed, not only to alleviate the patient's emotional stress and discomfort by mitigating the anxiety and minimizing the pain but also for yielding better procedural conditions for the operator. The scope of this review is to present the physiologic derangements occurring in pleuroscopy and compare the various anesthetic techniques and sedative agents that are currently being used in this context.

Monitored Anesthesia Care with Dexmedetomidine Supplemented by Midazolam/Fentanyl versus Midazolam/Fentanyl Alone in Patients Undergoing Pleuroscopy: Effect on Oxygenation and Respiratory Function

Although pleuroscopy is considered a safe and well tolerated procedure with a low complication rate, it requires the administration of procedural sedation and analgesia. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of dexmedetomidine administration on oxygenation and respiratory function in patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic pleuroscopy. Through a prospective, single center, cohort study, we studied 55 patients receiving either a dexmedetomidine intravenous infusion supplemented by midazolam/fentanyl (Group DEX + MZ/F) or a conventional sedation protocol with midazolam/fentanyl (Group MZ/F). Our primary outcome was the changes in lung gas exchange (PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio) obtained at baseline and at predetermined end points, while changes in respiratory mechanics (FEV1, FVC and the ratio FEV1/FVC) and PaCO₂ levels, drug consumption, time to recover from sedation and adverse events were our secondary endpoints (NCT03597828). We found a lower postoperative decrease in FEV1 volumes in Group DEX + MZ/F compared to Group MZ/F (p = 0.039), while FVC, FEV1/FVC and gas exchange values did not differ between groups. We also found a significant reduction in midazolam (p < 0.001) and fentanyl consumption (p < 0.001), along with a more rapid recovery of alertness postprocedure in Group DEX + MZ/F compared to Group MZ/F (p = 0.003), while pain scores during the postoperative period, favored the Group DEX + MZ/F (p = 0.020). In conclusion, the use of intravenous dexmedetomidine during pleuroscopy is associated with a smaller decrease in FEV1, reduction of the consumption of supplementary sedatives and analgesics and quicker awakening of patients postoperatively, when compared to midazolam/fentanyl. Therefore, dexmedetomidine administration may provide clinically significant benefits in terms of lung mechanics and faster recovery of patients undergoing pleuroscopy.

Update on the Mechanism and Treatment of Sevoflurane-Induced Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

Sevoflurane is one of the most widely used anesthetics for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in surgical patients. Sevoflurane treatment may increase the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), and patients with POCD exhibit lower cognitive abilities than before the operation. POCD affects the lives of patients and places an additional burden on patients and their families. Understanding the mechanism of sevoflurane-induced POCD may improve prevention and treatment of POCD. In this paper, we review the diagnosis of POCD, introduce animal models of POCD in clinical research, analyze the possible mechanisms of sevoflurane-induced POCD, and summarize advances in treatment for this condition.