Serum C1q as a Novel Predictive Biomarker for Postoperative Delirium After Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of C1q (complement activation regulatory factor) for the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD) following surgery for acute aortic dissection.

We prospectively included patients undergoing surgery for aortic dissection. Serum levels of C1q were measured preoperatively and on the first postoperative day. POD was assessed daily postoperatively using the confusion assessment method (CAM) or the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Statistical analyses included the Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between C1q levels and POD.

A total of 67 patients were enrolled in the study. Serum C1q levels were significantly higher in the Delirium group compared to the non-Delirium group both preoperatively and postoperatively. Univariate logistic analysis revealed that preoperative serum C1q levels were predictive of POD (OR = 1.379, 95% CI = 1.176-1.683, p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for preoperative serum C1q was 0.788 (95% CI = 0.671-0.880).

C1q is a potential biomarker for predicting POD in patients undergoing aortic dissection surgery. These findings suggest that C1q may be valuable for early diagnose and intervention strategies for POD.