Exploring Cognitive Changes in High-Risk Cardiac Patients Receiving Dexmedetomidine and Evaluating the Correlation
Noor Anisah Abu Yazit1,2, Norsham Juliana1, Kamilah Muhammad Hafidz2
1Faculty Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
Background:
Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely accepted clinically for postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) assessment. This study aims to investigate the post-operative cognitive changes among high-risk cardiothoracic patients and establish a standardised approach to post-surgery cognitive assessment.
Methods:
This is a prospective cohort study, where cognitive assessments were done 1-day before surgery, at discharge, and during 6 weeks of follow-up. Sample size calculation, accounting for an estimated 20% dropout rate, determined a minimum of 170 subjects were required for the study. Reduction of MMSE score of more than 2.5 was considered as having POCD. Score differences between groups were analysed using T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), while consistency between tools was analysed using correlation and regression.
Results:
A total of 188 patients completed the study, with a POCD prevalence of 20.2% and 6.9% at discharge and at the 6 week follow up, respectively. All cognitive tools show a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative scores. All tests show a significant moderate correlation with MMSE.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, it is imperative to employ a battery of cognitive assessments to evaluate cognitive changes comprehensively.
