Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2025
04:48
Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
Published on: November 28, 2018
7.9K
Femoral Vein Pulsatility and Neurocognitive Disorder in Cardiac Surgery
Ali Hammoud1, Tanya Mailhot2, Melissa Parent3
1Intensive Care Unit, Montreal Heart Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
CJC Open
|March 10, 2025
Summary
Abnormal femoral vein pulsatility after cardiac surgery is linked to neurocognitive disorders. This noninvasive Doppler ultrasound finding may help predict postoperative complications like delirium.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Neurocritical Care
- Vascular Ultrasound
Background:
- Venous congestion and neurocognitive disorders are potential complications following cardiac surgery.
- Femoral vein (FV) Doppler ultrasound offers a noninvasive method to assess venous congestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between femoral vein (FV) pulsatility and the occurrence of postoperative neurocognitive disorder in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Main Methods:
- A secondary analysis of retrospective and prospective cohorts included 273 patients.
- Femoral vein (FV) Doppler ultrasound and neurocognitive disorder assessments were performed post-ICU admission.
- Abnormal FV pulsatility was defined as an index ≥ 50%; neurocognitive disorder was assessed using the Intensive Care Delirium Score Checklist (ICDSC).
Main Results:
- 57% of patients (155/273) exhibited abnormal FV pulsatility (≥ 50%).
- Abnormal FV pulsatility was significantly associated with a higher incidence of neurocognitive disorder (57% vs. 43%; OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.06-2.81).
- FV pulsatility also correlated with age, stroke, prolonged intubation, and extended ICU stays.
Conclusions:
- Femoral vein pulsatility is a significant indicator associated with neurocognitive disorder and other postoperative complications after cardiac surgery.
- The simple and rapid FV Doppler technique may aid in anticipating complications such as delirium.
- Further multicenter studies with larger patient cohorts are warranted to validate these findings.
