The long-term incidence of chronic post-surgical pain after coronary artery bypass surgery - A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) represents a significant issue for many patients following surgery; however, the long-term incidence and impact have not been well described following cardiac surgery. Our aim was to characterize CPSP at least 5 years following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS: This prospective observational study investigated a cohort of patients from a larger trial investigating cognitive outcomes following CABG surgery, with 89 of 148 eligible patients (60.1%) assessed for CPSP at a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 6.8 [1.2] years. Questionnaires interrogated pain presence, intensity, location, neuropathic characteristics, Geriatric Depression Scale scores (GDS) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). RESULTS: CPSP was described in 21/89 (23.6%), with 10 rating it as moderate to severe. Six of the CPSP patients (29%) met criteria for neuropathic pain (6.7% overall). The highest rate of CPSP was associated with the leg surgical site (chest 12/89 [13.5%], arm 8/68 [11.8%] and leg (saphenous vein graft-SVG) 11/37 [29.7%]; χ2 = 6.523, p = 0.038). IADL scores were significantly lower for patients with CPSP (mean [SD]: 36.7 [1.6] vs. no CPSP 40.6 [0.6]; p = 0.006). Patients had GDS scores consistent with moderate depression (GDS >8) in 3/21 (14.3%) with CPSP, versus 3/68 (4.4%) non-CPSP patients (χ2 = 3.20, p = 0.073). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a CPSP incidence of 23.6% at a mean of 6.8 years after CABG surgery, with the highest pain proportion at SVG harvest sites. CPSP was associated with neuropathic pain symptoms and had a significant impact on IADLs. This emphasizes the need for long-term follow-up of CABG patients. SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the impact of CPSP 7 years following cardiac surgery and highlights the effect of surgical site, neuropathic pain and the importance of including pain assessment and management in the long-term follow-up of cardiac surgical patients. Strategies to address and prevent chronic pain following cardiac surgery should be further explored.

Acute peri-operative neurocognitive disorders: a narrative review.

Peri-operative neurocognitive disorders are the most common complication experienced by older individuals undergoing anaesthesia and surgery. Peri-operative neurocognitive disorders, particularly postoperative delirium, result in long-term poor outcomes including: death; dementia; loss of independence; and poor cognitive and functional outcomes. Recent changes to the nomenclature of these disorders aims to align peri-operative neurocognitive disorders with cognitive disorders in the community, with consistent definitions and clinical diagnosis. Possible mechanisms include: undiagnosed neurodegenerative disease; inflammation and resulting neuroinflammation; neuronal damage; and comorbid systemic disease. Pre-operative frailty represents a significant risk for poor postoperative outcomes; it is associated with an increase in the incidence of cognitive decline at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. In addition to cognitive decline, frailty is associated with poor functional outcomes following elective non-cardiac surgery. It was recently shown that 29% of frail patients died or experienced institutionalisation or new disability within 90 days of major elective surgery. Identification of vulnerable patients before undergoing surgery and anaesthesia is the key to preventing peri-operative neurocognitive disorders. Current approaches include: pre-operative delirium and cognitive screening; blood biomarker analysis; intra-operative management that may reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium such as lighter anaesthesia using processed electroencephalography devices; and introduction of guidelines which may reduce or prevent delirium and postoperative neurocognitive disorders. This review will address these issues and advocate for an approach to care for older peri-operative patients which starts in the community and continues throughout the pre-operative, intra-operative, postoperative and post-discharge phases of care management, involving multidisciplinary medical teams, as well as family and caregivers wherever possible.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction after sevoflurane or propofol general anaesthesia in combination with spinal anaesthesia for hip arthroplasty.

It is unknown if the type of general anaesthetic used for maintenance of anaesthesia affects the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of POCD in patients administered either sevoflurane or propofol for maintenance of anaesthesia during total hip replacement surgery. Following administration of a spinal anaesthetic, patients received either sevoflurane (n=121) or propofol (n=171) at the discretion of the anaesthetist for maintenance of general anaesthesia to maintain the processed electroencephalogram (bispectral index, BIS) under 60. POCD was assessed postoperatively at day 7, three months, and 12 months using a neurocognitive test battery. There was no statistically significant difference between the incidence of POCD at any timepoint with sevoflurane compared to propofol. The mean BIS was significantly lower in the sevoflurane group than in the propofol group (mean BIS 44.3 [standard deviation, SD 7.5] in the sevoflurane group versus 53.7 [SD 8.1] in the propofol group, P=0.0001). However, there was no statistically significant association between intraoperative BIS level and the incidence of POCD at any timepoint. Our results suggest that the incidence of POCD is not strongly influenced by the type of anaesthesia used in elderly patients.

Recommendations for the nomenclature of cognitive change associated with anaesthesia and surgery-2018.

Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7.5 yr afterwards. Importantly, other studies have identified that the incidence of cognitive change is similar after non-cardiac surgery. Other than the inclusion of non-surgical control groups to calculate postoperative cognitive dysfunction, research into these cognitive changes in the perioperative period has been undertaken in isolation from cognitive studies in the general population. The aim of this work is to develop similar terminology to that used in cognitive classifications of the general population for use in investigations of cognitive changes after anaesthesia and surgery. A multispecialty working group followed a modified Delphi procedure with no prespecified number of rounds comprised of three face-to-face meetings followed by online editing of draft versions.Two major classification guidelines [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and National Institute for Aging and the Alzheimer Association (NIA-AA)] are used outside of anaesthesia and surgery, and may be useful for inclusion of biomarkers in research. For clinical purposes, it is recommended to use the DSM-5 nomenclature. The working group recommends that 'perioperative neurocognitive disorders' be used as an overarching term for cognitive impairment identified in the preoperative or postoperative period. This includes cognitive decline diagnosed before operation (described as neurocognitive disorder); any form of acute event (postoperative delirium) and cognitive decline diagnosed up to 30 days after the procedure (delayed neurocognitive recovery) and up to 12 months (postoperative neurocognitive disorder).

Recommendations for the Nomenclature of Cognitive Change Associated With Anaesthesia and Surgery-2018.

Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7.5 yr afterwards. Importantly, other studies have identified that the incidence of cognitive change is similar after non-cardiac surgery. Other than the inclusion of non-surgical control groups to calculate postoperative cognitive dysfunction, research into these cognitive changes in the perioperative period has been undertaken in isolation from cognitive studies in the general population. The aim of this work is to develop similar terminology to that used in cognitive classifications of the general population for use in investigations of cognitive changes after anaesthesia and surgery. A multispecialty working group followed a modified Delphi procedure with no prespecified number of rounds comprised of three face-to-face meetings followed by online editing of draft versions.Two major classification guidelines [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and National Institute for Aging and the Alzheimer Association (NIA-AA)] are used outside of anaesthesia and surgery, and may be useful for inclusion of biomarkers in research. For clinical purposes, it is recommended to use the DSM-5 nomenclature. The working group recommends that 'perioperative neurocognitive disorders' be used as an overarching term for cognitive impairment identified in the preoperative or postoperative period. This includes cognitive decline diagnosed before operation (described as neurocognitive disorder); any form of acute event (postoperative delirium) and cognitive decline diagnosed up to 30 days after the procedure (delayed neurocognitive recovery) and up to 12 months (postoperative neurocognitive disorder).

Recommendations for the Nomenclature of Cognitive Change Associated with Anaesthesia and Surgery-2018.

Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7.5 yr afterwards. Importantly, other studies have identified that the incidence of cognitive change is similar after non-cardiac surgery. Other than the inclusion of non-surgical control groups to calculate postoperative cognitive dysfunction, research into these cognitive changes in the perioperative period has been undertaken in isolation from cognitive studies in the general population. The aim of this work is to develop similar terminology to that used in cognitive classifications of the general population for use in investigations of cognitive changes after anaesthesia and surgery. A multispecialty working group followed a modified Delphi procedure with no prespecified number of rounds comprised of three face-to-face meetings followed by online editing of draft versions.Two major classification guidelines (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition [DSM-5] and National Institute for Aging and the Alzheimer Association [NIA-AA]) are used outside of anaesthesia and surgery, and may be useful for inclusion of biomarkers in research. For clinical purposes, it is recommended to use the DSM-5 nomenclature. The working group recommends that 'perioperative neurocognitive disorders' be used as an overarching term for cognitive impairment identified in the preoperative or postoperative period. This includes cognitive decline diagnosed before operation (described as neurocognitive disorder); any form of acute event (postoperative delirium) and cognitive decline diagnosed up to 30 days after the procedure (delayed neurocognitive recovery) and up to 12 months (postoperative neurocognitive disorder).

Recommendations for the Nomenclature of Cognitive Change Associated with Anaesthesia and Surgery-20181.

Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7.5 yr afterwards. Importantly, other studies have identified that the incidence of cognitive change is similar after non-cardiac surgery. Other than the inclusion of non-surgical control groups to calculate postoperative cognitive dysfunction, research into these cognitive changes in the perioperative period has been undertaken in isolation from cognitive studies in the general population. The aim of this work is to develop similar terminology to that used in cognitive classifications of the general population for use in investigations of cognitive changes after anaesthesia and surgery. A multispecialty working group followed a modified Delphi procedure with no prespecified number of rounds comprised of three face-to-face meetings followed by online editing of draft versions.Two major classification guidelines [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and National Institute for Aging and the Alzheimer Association (NIA-AA)] are used outside of anaesthesia and surgery, and may be useful for inclusion of biomarkers in research. For clinical purposes, it is recommended to use the DSM-5 nomenclature. The working group recommends that 'perioperative neurocognitive disorders' be used as an overarching term for cognitive impairment identified in the preoperative or postoperative period. This includes cognitive decline diagnosed before operation (described as neurocognitive disorder); any form of acute event (postoperative delirium) and cognitive decline diagnosed up to 30 days after the procedure (delayed neurocognitive recovery) and up to 12 months (postoperative neurocognitive disorder).

Recommendations for the nomenclature of cognitive change associated with anaesthesia and surgery-2018.

Cognitive change affecting patients after anaesthesia and surgery has been recognised for more than 100 yr. Research into cognitive change after anaesthesia and surgery accelerated in the 1980s when multiple studies utilised detailed neuropsychological testing for assessment of cognitive change after cardiac surgery. This body of work consistently documented decline in cognitive function in elderly patients after anaesthesia and surgery, and cognitive changes have been identified up to 7.5 yr afterwards. Importantly, other studies have identified that the incidence of cognitive change is similar after non-cardiac surgery. Other than the inclusion of non-surgical control groups to calculate postoperative cognitive dysfunction, research into these cognitive changes in the perioperative period has been undertaken in isolation from cognitive studies in the general population. The aim of this work is to develop similar terminology to that used in cognitive classifications of the general population for use in investigations of cognitive changes after anaesthesia and surgery. A multispecialty working group followed a modified Delphi procedure with no prespecified number of rounds comprised of three face-to-face meetings followed by online editing of draft versions. Two major classification guidelines [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) and National Institute for Aging and the Alzheimer Association (NIA-AA)] are used outside of anaesthesia and surgery, and may be useful for inclusion of biomarkers in research. For clinical purposes, it is recommended to use the DSM-5 nomenclature. The working group recommends that 'perioperative neurocognitive disorders' be used as an overarching term for cognitive impairment identified in the preoperative or postoperative period. This includes cognitive decline diagnosed before operation (described as neurocognitive disorder); any form of acute event (postoperative delirium) and cognitive decline diagnosed up to 30 days after the procedure (delayed neurocognitive recovery) and up to 12 months (postoperative neurocognitive disorder).

Incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction after general or spinal anaesthesia for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND: Since general anaesthesia invariably accompanies surgery, the contribution of each to the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has been difficult to identify. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was undertaken in elderly patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Between 2005 and 2011, 2706 individuals were screened to recruit 100 eligible patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive general or spinal anaesthesia alone. A battery of eight neuropsychological tests was administered before operation and at 7 days and 3 months after operation. The reliable change index was used to calculate the incidence of POCD. Intention-to-treat analysis was used to compare rates of POCD. RESULTS: Futility analysis led to stopping of the trial after recruitment of 100 patients. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to general anaesthesia, and 48 patients to spinal anaesthesia without sedation or postoperative opioids. At 3 months, POCD was detected in 6.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-18.7%] of patients in the general anaesthesia group and 19.6% (95% CI: 9.4-33.9%) in the spinal group (P=0.07). At 7 days after operation, the incidence of POCD was 4.1% (95% CI: 0.5-14%) in the general anaesthesia group and 11.9% (95% CI: 4.0-26.6%) in the spinal group (P=0.16). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant difference in the rates of POCD when comparing general anaesthesia with spinal anaesthesia, suggesting that the surgical or procedural process itself may contribute to the development of POCD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12605000150640.

Review of transcranial Doppler ultrasound to detect microemboli during orthopedic surgery.

Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography has been used to detect microemboli in the middle cerebral artery during orthopedic surgery. We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature review of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in orthopedic surgery to evaluate its status in this setting. Fourteen studies were selected for qualitative analysis. The highest number of patients studied was 45; emboli were detected in all studies, occurring in 20%-100% of patients. Most embolic counts were below 10, but some high counts were noted. No study reported all the technical parameters of the transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. All studies assessed neurologic status, and 6 studies evaluated cognitive function postoperatively. No study identified an association between postoperative cognitive function and embolic count. Six studies sought the presence of right-to-left shunts.

Cognitive function in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To measure cognition in patients before and after coronary angiography. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 56 patients presenting for elective coronary angiography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Computerised cognitive test battery administered before coronary angiography, before discharge from hospital and 7 days after discharge. A matched healthy control group was used as a comparator. RESULTS: When analysed by group, coronary angiography patients performed worse than matched controls at each time point. When the cognitive change was examined for each individual, of the 48 patients tested at discharge, 19 (39.6%) were classified as having a new cognitive dysfunction, and of 49 patients tested at day 7, six (12.2%) were classified as having a new cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that cognitive function is decreased in patients who have cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, coronary angiography may exacerbate this impaired cognition in some patients.

The sensitivity and specificity of three common statistical rules for the classification of post-operative cognitive dysfunction following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: The application of statistical rules to determine post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has varied, and partially explains the wide range of reported incidences of POCD in the literature. The current study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of three commonly used statistical rules in a sample of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients and healthy non-surgical controls. METHODS: Two hundred and four CABG patients [mean age, 68.8 years; standard deviation (SD), 7.0 years] completed neuropsychological assessment pre-operatively (baseline) and 1 week and 3 months post-operatively. Ninety age- and gender-matched non-surgical controls (mean age, 67.8 years; SD, 7.9 years) completed the same tasks at the same time points. POCD was determined in each group using three rules: the 1SD decline on two or more tasks; the 20% decline on 20% of tasks rule; and a modified reliable change index. RESULTS: The modified reliable change index demonstrated the greatest combination of sensitivity and specificity. The 20% decline on 20% of tasks rule detected the largest incidence of impairment in the CABG group, but showed large incidences of false positive classifications in the control group. The 1SD rule detected the lowest incidence of POCD in the CABG group, but detected a larger incidence of impairment in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the modified reliable change index is recommended, given the sensitivity to change it displayed and the low rates of false positive classification in the control sample. The use of control groups in future research is also recommended.

Detection of cognitive decline after coronary surgery: a comparison of computerized and conventional tests.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive decline is a common complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Postoperative cognitive decline is defined on the basis of change in cognitive function detected with repeated assessments using neuropsychological tests. Therefore improvement in neuropsychological testing instruments may increase our understanding of postoperative cognitive decline. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing CABG surgery completed both a conventional and a computerized battery of tests before and 6 days after CABG surgery. Fifty age- and education-matched controls completed the same test batteries 6 days apart. The reliability and the sensitivity to postoperative cognitive decline were computed for each battery. RESULTS: Both test batteries detected postoperative cognitive decline 6 days after CABG surgery. For the computerized battery, the reliability of the reaction times (intraclass correlation 0.89-0.92) was greater than for any test from the conventional battery (intraclass correlation 0.56-0.71), although accuracy measures were less reliable (intraclass correlation 0.61-0.89). The computerized battery detected all the cases of POCD identified by the conventional test battery and also five cases that were classified as normal by the conventional tests. CONCLUSION: Computerized tests are suitable for measuring cognitive change after CABG surgery and may detect change in a greater proportion of patients 6 days after CABG surgery than conventional neuropsychological tests.