Perioperative EEG-Monitoring and Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery

Perioperative EEG-Monitoring and Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery: a Prospective Observational Study

Postoperative delirium is common in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery and associated with poor outcomes. However the pathogenesis of postoperative delirium is poorly understood. Multichannel electroencephalogram is a recognized tool for identifying neurophysiologic states during anesthesia, sleep, and arousal. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the mechanisms and predictors of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery using electroencephalogram.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age of at least 18 years
2. normal cognitive function at the time of enrollment evidenced by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of more than 24 of 30
3. Chinese Mandarin as the native language
4. providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. pre-existing delirium assessed according to the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
2. history of neurological or psychiatric disease
3. impaired vision or auditory function which may effect the assessments
4. unwillingness to participate in the study