Serum Neurofilament Light and Postoperative Delirium in Cardiac Surgery: A Preplanned Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Impaired cognition is a major predisposing factor for postoperative delirium, but it is not systematically assessed. Anesthesia and surgery may cause postoperative delirium by affecting brain integrity. Neurofilament light in serum reflects axonal injury.

Propofol plus low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion and postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent complication in older patients. Dexmedetomidine might be effective in decreasing the incidence of POD. We hypothesised that adding low-dose rate dexmedetomidine infusion to a propofol sedation regimen would have fewer side-effects and would counteract the possible delirium producing properties of propofol, resulting in a lower risk of POD than propofol with placebo.

Hemodilution and anemia in patients with cardiac disease: what is the safe limit?

Purpose Of The Review: Anemia is associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease. Although blood transfusions are commonly used in these patients, there is little evidence that such an approach improved patients' clinical outcome.

Recent Findings: From an experimental point of view, tolerance to acute anemia is significantly reduced in animals with externally applied coronary artery stenosis.