Preoperative transcranial Doppler and cerebral oximetry as predictors of delirium following valvular heart surgery: a case-control study.

Delirium is a frequent and serious complication after cardiac surgery with cerebral hypoperfusion as one from the key pathophysiological mechanisms. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean blood flow velocity (MFV) measured by transcranial Doppler has been used as a marker of cerebral perfusion, and cerebral oximetry (rSO) value as a marker of its adequacy. This prospective observational trial examined the predictive value of MCA MFV and rSO, measured immediately before induction of anesthesia, for delirium after valvular heart surgery in elderly patients.