The impact of frailty on postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery patients

Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP)

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.

Measurement and prognosis of frail patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were to review the literature to identify frailty instruments in use for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) recipients and synthesise prognostic data from these studies, in order to inform clinical management of frail patients undergoing TAVI.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed the literature published in 2006 or later. We included studies of patients with aortic stenosis, diagnosed as frail, who underwent a TAVI procedure that reported mortality or clinical outcomes. We categorised the frailty instruments and reported on the prevalence of frailty in each study. We summarised the frequency of clinical outcomes and pooled outcomes from multiple studies. We explored heterogeneity and performed subgroup analysis, where possible. We also used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the overall certainty of the estimates.

RESULTS

Of 49 included studies, 21 used single-dimension measures to assess frailty, 3 used administrative data-based measures, and 25 used multidimensional measures. Prevalence of frailty ranged from 5.67% to 90.07%. Albumin was the most commonly used single-dimension frailty measure and the Fried or modified Fried phenotype were the most commonly used multidimensional measures. Meta-analyses of studies that used either the Fried or modified Fried phenotype showed a 30-day mortality of 7.86% (95% CI 5.20% to 11.70%) and a 1-year mortality of 26.91% (95% CI 21.50% to 33.11%). The GRADE system suggests very low certainty of the respective estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty instruments varied across studies, leading to a wide range of frailty prevalence estimates for TAVI recipients and substantial heterogeneity. The results provide clinicians, patients and healthcare administrators, with potentially useful information on the prognosis of frail patients undergoing TAVI. This review highlights the need for standardisation of frailty measurement to promote consistency.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018090597.

The Association Between Frailty and Delirium Among Hospitalized Patients: An Updated Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our meta-analysis was to update evidence for the association between frailty and delirium in different types of hospitalized patients, given the large volume of new studies with inconsistent results.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

In this updated meta-analysis, we searched 3 databases (Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library) for observational studies, exploring the association between frailty and delirium from database inception to September 21, 2020, among hospitalized patients. Relevant data were extracted from the studies that were included. A random effects model was conducted to synthesize and pool the effect size of frailty on delirium due to different frailty score instruments, different countries, and various delirium assessments that were used. The participants enrolled in this meta-analysis were hospitalized patients.

MEASURES

Delirium risk due to frailty.

RESULTS

A total of 30 independent studies from 9 countries, consisting of 217,623 patients, was identified, and the prevalence of frailty ranged from 16.20% to 78.00%. Frail patients exhibited an increased risk for delirium compared to those without frailty [odds ratio (OR) 2.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.36-3.71]. In addition, different types of hospitalized patients had various OR values, which were 2.43 for selective surgical patients (95% CI 1.88-3.14), 3.61 for medical patients (95% CI 3.61-7.89), 3.76 for urgent surgical patients (95% CI 2.88-4.92), and 6.66 for emergency or critical illness patients (95% CI 1.41-31.47). Subgroup analysis based on the frailty score instrument showed the association still existed when using the Clinical Frailty Scale (OR 4.07, 95% CI 2.71-6.11), FRAIL Scale (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.56-5.13), Frailty Index (OR 6.15, 95% CI 3.75-10.07), frailty phenotype (OR 2.30, 95%CI 1.35-5.66), or Erasmus Frailty Score (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.63-4.77). However, an association between frailty and delirium was not observed when the Edmonton Frail Scale was used (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.91-2.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A 2.96-fold incremental risk of delirium in frail patients underscores the need for early screening of frailty and comprehensive delirium prevention. Appropriate interventions by clinicians should be performed to manage delirium, potentially reducing adverse clinical outcomes for hospitalized patients.

Prevention and Management of Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit

Delirium is a debilitating form of brain dysfunction frequently encountered in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, longer lengths of stay, higher hospital costs, and cognitive impairment that persists long after hospital discharge. Predisposing factors include smoking, hypertension, cardiac disease, sepsis, and premorbid dementia. Precipitating factors include respiratory failure and shock, metabolic disturbances, prolonged mechanical ventilation, pain, immobility, and sedatives and adverse environmental conditions impairing vision, hearing, and sleep. Historically, antipsychotic medications were the mainstay of delirium treatment in the critically ill. Based on more recent literature, the current Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) guidelines suggest against routine use of antipsychotics for delirium in critically ill adults. Other pharmacologic interventions (e.g., dexmedetomidine) are under investigation and their impact is not yet clear. Nonpharmacologic interventions thus remain the cornerstone of delirium management. This approach is summarized in the ABCDEF bundle (Assess, prevent, and manage pain; Both SAT and SBT; Choice of analgesia and sedation; Delirium: assess, prevent, and manage; Early mobility and exercise; Family engagement and empowerment). The implementation of this bundle reduces the odds of developing delirium and the chances of needing mechanical ventilation, yet there are challenges to its implementation. There is an urgent need for ongoing studies to more effectively mitigate risk factors and to better understand the pathobiology underlying ICU delirium so as to identify additional potential treatments. Further refinements of therapeutic options, from drugs to rehabilitation, are current areas ripe for study to improve the short- and long-term outcomes of critically ill patients with delirium.

Modified Frailty Index Independently Predicts Postoperative Delirium and Delayed Neurocognitive Recovery After Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) and delayed neurocognitive recovery are 2 common subtypes of postoperative neurocognitive disorders that occur after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), associated with inferior surgical outcomes. The modified frailty index (mFI) reflects the status of physiologic decline and predicts adverse outcomes in various surgical patient cohorts. This study aims at examining the discriminatory value of the mFI to predict POD and delayed neurocognitive recovery after TJA.

METHODS

The study includes 383 participants admitted for primary elective TJA under general anesthesia combined with inhalation agents over the period from January 2018 to December 2019. POD and delayed neurocognitive recovery, based on the criteria provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (2013), were assessed for each enrolled patient. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to screen potential risk factors for POD and delayed neurocognitive recovery.

RESULTS

The total incidence of POD and the delayed neurocognitive recovery of this cohort were 17.2% (66/383) and 24.8% (95/383), respectively. Our data from the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that a higher age (≥72 years) and a higher mFI level (≥0.18) were 2 independent risk factors for both POD and delayed neurocognitive recovery in elderly subjects after TJA.

CONCLUSION

The mFI may be a promising predictor for both POD and delayed neurocognitive recovery in elderly subjects following TJA. Preoperative mFI evaluation can be used for risk stratification and offers significant potential in clinical application.

Delirium

Delirium, a syndrome characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness and cognition, is caused by a medical condition that cannot be better explained by a pre-existing neurocognitive disorder. Multiple predisposing factors (for example, pre-existing cognitive impairment) and precipitating factors (for example, urinary tract infection) for delirium have been described, with most patients having both types. Because multiple factors are implicated in the aetiology of delirium, there are likely several neurobiological processes that contribute to delirium pathogenesis, including neuroinflammation, brain vascular dysfunction, altered brain metabolism, neurotransmitter imbalance and impaired neuronal network connectivity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) is the most commonly used diagnostic system upon which a reference standard diagnosis is made, although many other delirium screening tools have been developed given the impracticality of using the DSM-5 in many settings. Pharmacological treatments for delirium (such as antipsychotic drugs) are not effective, reflecting substantial gaps in our understanding of its pathophysiology. Currently, the best management strategies are multidomain interventions that focus on treating precipitating conditions, medication review, managing distress, mitigating complications and maintaining engagement to environmental issues. The effective implementation of delirium detection, treatment and prevention strategies remains a major challenge for health-care organizations globally.

The Association of a Frailty Index and Incident Delirium in Older Hospitalized Patients: An Observational Cohort Study

Introduction/Background

Frailty identifies patients that have vulnerability to stress. Acute illness and hospitalization are stressors that may result in delirium and further accelerate the negative consequences of frailty.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine whether frailty, identified at hospital admission and as measured by a frailty index, is associated with incident delirium.

Methods

A retrospective, observational, cohort study was done at a Veterans hospital between January 2013 and March 2014. English-speaking patients over 55 years were eligible. Exclusion criteria included inability to complete baseline assessments due to pre-existing cognitive impairment, emergent surgery; and/or admission from a nursing home, pre-existing delirium, and those with psychiatric disease or substance use disorder.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Frailty index (FI) variables included cognitive screening, physical function and comorbidities. The FI was calculated as a proportion of possible deficits (range 0 to 1; higher scores indicate increased frailty). Incident delirium was measured daily by an expert clinician interview.

Results

A total of 247 patients were admitted and 218 met inclusion/exclusion criteria, with a mean age of 71.54 years (SD = 9.53 years) and were predominantly white (92.7%) and male (91.7%). Participants were grouped using FI ranges as non-frail (FI <0.25, n=56 (26%)), pre-frail (FI =0.25–0.35, n=86 (39%)), and frail (FI >0.35, n=76 (35%)). Pre-frailty and frailty were associated with incident delirium (non-frail: 3.6% vs pre-frail: 20.9% vs frail: 29.3%, p=0.001) and total delirium days (mean day =non-frail 0.04 vs pre-frail 0.35 vs frail 0.57, p=0.003). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, pre-frail (adjusted OR=5.64, 95% CI: 1.23, 25.99) and frail status (adjusted OR=6.80, 95% CI: 1.38, 33.45) were independently associated with delirium.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a frailty index is independently associated with incident delirium and suggests that admission assessments for frailty may identify patients at high risk of developing delirium.

A prospective pilot study assessing levels of preoperative physical activity and postoperative neurocognitive disorder among patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are associated with a chronic low-level inflammatory state which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. There is growing interest in exercise programs as part of surgical ‘prehabilitation’. We therefore studied preoperative physical activity levels of patients undergoing elective Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery, and performed an exploratory analysis of the influence of physical activity on postoperative outcome. The Short Questionnaire to Assess Health (SQUASH) was used to assess physical activity among 100 patients, of mean (SD) age 65.4 (7.6) years. Additionally, handgrip strength was measured, and the get-up-and-go test was conducted. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life were assessed, and a computerised cognitive test battery was used to assess cognitive performance preoperatively, and three months after surgery. Preoperatively, 76% of patients met the recommended national guidelines for physical activity. The incidence of pre-existing medical conditions, and other pre-operative patient features were similar in active and inactive patients. Preoperative physical activity was significantly inversely related to the logistic EuroSCORE. The level of physical activity was also significantly inversely related with preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and peak postoperative CRP, but physical activity did not appear to be associated with any adverse postoperative outcomes or extended length of hospital stay. The incidence of postoperative neurocognitive disorder (PNCD) at 3 months postoperatively was 26%. Cognitive performance was not related with physical activity levels. In summary, this was the first study to assess activity levels of cardiac surgical patients with the SQUASH questionnaire. The majority of patients were physically active. Although physical activity was associated with lower levels of inflammation in this pilot study, it was not associated with an improved clinical or cognitive postoperative outcome.

Performance of Severity Indices to Estimate Postoperative Complications of Myocardial Revascularization

Fundamento

Os pacientes em pós-operatório (PO) de cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM) internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) apresentam risco de complicações que aumentam o tempo de permanência e a morbimortalidade. Portanto, é fundamental o reconhecimento precoce desses riscos para otimizar estratégias de prevenção e desfecho clínico satisfatório.

Objetivo

Analisar o desempenho de índices de gravidade na predição de complicações em pacientes no PO de CRM durante a permanência na UTI.

Métodos

Estudo transversal, com análise retrospectiva de prontuários eletrônicos de pacientes com idade ≥ 18 anos submetidos à CRM isolada e admitidos na UTI de um hospital cardiológico, em São Paulo, Brasil. As áreas sob as curvas receiver operating characteristic (AUC) com intervalo de confiança de 95% foram analisadas para verificar a acurácia dos índices European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroScore), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) e Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) na predição de complicações.

Resultados

A casuística foi composta por 366 pacientes (64,58±9,42 anos; 75,96% sexo masculino). As complicações identificadas foram respiratórias (24,32%), cardiológicas (19,95%), neurológicas (10,38%), hematológicas (10,38%), infecciosas (6,56%) e renais (3,55%). O APACHE II apresentou satisfatório desempenho para a predição de complicações neurológicas (AUC 0,72) e renais (AUC 0,78).

Conclusão

O APACHE II se destacou na previsão das complicações neurológicas e renais. Nenhum dos índices teve bom desempenho na predição das outras complicações analisadas. Portanto, os índices de gravidade não devem ser utilizados indiscriminadamente com o objetivo de predizer todas as complicações frequentemente apresentadas por pacientes após CRM. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(3):452-459)

Surviving and Thriving 1 Year After Cardiac Surgery: Frailty and Delirium Matter

BACKGROUND

We compared 1-year functional outcomes for 4 cardiac surgery patient groups: comparison (without preoperative frailty or postoperative delirium [POD]), frailty only (with preoperative frailty only), POD only (with POD only), and frailty-POD (combined frailty and POD).

METHODS

Consecutive cardiac surgery patients (n = 298) at a university hospital were assessed for preoperative frailty using Fried's phenotype, and POD was assessed daily for 10 days after surgery using the Confusion Assessment Method. Functional outcomes (Barthel Index for activities of daily living [ADL]) and all-cause mortality were evaluated 1-year after surgery.

RESULTS

Preoperative frailty presented in 85 of participants (28.5%) and POD in 38 (12.8%). Frail participants were at increased risk for POD (odds ratio = 4.9; P < .001). Overall, 1-year mortality was 4.0% (n = 12) and functional change was 0.4 ± 11.0 Barthel points. Controlling for age, cardiac risk, and baseline ADL, frailty-only and comparison participants had comparable 1-year functional outcomes. The POD-only group had greater mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 23.9; P = .01), whereas the combined frailty-POD group had the greatest ADL decline (β = -23.7; P = .01) and the highest mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 30.2; P = .006) compared with the comparison group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative frailty alone did not negatively affect cardiac surgery patients' functional outcomes up to 1 year, but coexisting frailty and POD led to substantial loss of independence on 3 to 4 ADLs and a 30.2-fold higher likelihood of dying 1 year after surgery. Because frailty led to a 4.9-fold increase in POD risk, frailty may serve as a presurgical screen to identify patients who would likely benefit from delirium prevention and functional recovery programs to maximize 1-year postsurgical outcomes.

Physical Performance and Risk of Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement

Background

Delirium is a major risk factor for poor recovery after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). It is unclear whether preoperative physical performance tests improve delirium prediction.

Objective

To examine whether physical performance tests can predict delirium after SAVR and TAVR, and adapt an existing delirium prediction rule for cardiac surgery, which includes Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), depression, prior stroke, and albumin level.

Design

Prospective cohort, 2014-2017.

Setting

Single academic center.

Subjects

A total of 187 patients undergoing SAVR (n=77) or TAVR (n=110).

Methods

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score was calculated based on gait speed, balance, and chair stands (range: 0-12 points, lower scores indicate poor performance). Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. We fitted logistic regression to predict delirium using SPPB components and risk factors of delirium.

Results

Delirium occurred in 35.8% (50.7% in SAVR and 25.5% in TAVR). The risk of delirium increased for lower SPPB scores: 10-12 (28.2%), 7-9 (34.5%), 4-6 (37.5%) and 0-3 (44.1%) (p-for-trend=0.001). A model that included gait speed <0.46 meter/second (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.4), chair stands time ≥11.2 seconds (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.0-12.4), MMSE <24 points (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.4), isolated SAVR (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.1-13.8), and SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting (OR, 15.8; 95% CI, 5.5-45.7) predicted delirium better than the existing prediction rule (C statistics: 0.71 vs 0.61; p=0.035).

Conclusion

Assessing physical performance, in addition to cognitive function, can help identify high-risk patients for delirium after SAVR and TAVR.

Preoperative physical performance-related postoperative delirium in patients after cardiovascular surgery

OBJECTIVES

This investigation clarified the relationship between a short physical performance battery (SPPB) that can comprehensively and safely evaluate balance function, walking ability, lower limb muscle strength, and postoperative delirium.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study performed at Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital. Patients who underwent surgery at the Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017 were included. Preoperative physical functions were obtained. Those showing positive results using the confusion assessment method for intensive care unit (ICU) during the ICU stay were considered as the delirium group, and the postoperative and non-postoperative delirium groups were compared. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with the presence or absence of onset of delirium as the dependent variable and the SPPB total score and age as dependent variables.

RESULTS

There were 193 subjects in this study (120 males and 73 females). Sixteen patients (8.4 %) had postoperative delirium. The age in the postoperative delirium group was significantly higher than in the postoperative delirium group (77.8 (7.0) years vs. 70.0 (11.1) years). BMI and SPPB total score were significantly lower in the postoperative delirium group. From the multiple logistic regression, the SPPB total score (OR: 0.754, 95 % CI: 0.643-0.883, p < 0.001) was extracted as a factor related to postoperative delirium onset.

CONCLUSION

It was illuminated that in patients with cardiovascular surgery, preoperative low physical function was not affected by age and became a risk factor of postoperative delirium onset.

American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on Postoperative Delirium Prevention

Postoperative delirium is a geriatric syndrome that manifests as changes in cognition, attention, and levels of consciousness after surgery. It occurs in up to 50% of patients after major surgery and is associated with adverse outcomes, including increased hospital length of stay, higher cost of care, higher rates of institutionalization after discharge, and higher rates of readmission. Furthermore, it is associated with functional decline and cognitive impairments after surgery. As the age and medical complexity of our surgical population increases, practitioners need the skills to identify and prevent delirium in this high-risk population. Because delirium is a common and consequential postoperative complication, there has been an abundance of recent research focused on delirium, conducted by clinicians from a variety of specialties. There have also been several reviews and recommendation statements; however, these have not been based on robust evidence. The Sixth Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI-6) consensus conference brought together a team of multidisciplinary experts to formally survey and evaluate the literature on postoperative delirium prevention and provide evidence-based recommendations using an iterative Delphi process and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Criteria for evaluating biomedical literature.

Observational Study Examining the Association of Baseline Frailty and Postcardiac Surgery Delirium and Cognitive Change

BACKGROUND

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome thought to identify the most vulnerable older adults, and morbidity and mortality has been reported to be higher for frail patients after cardiac surgery compared to nonfrail patients. However, the cognitive consequences of frailty after cardiac surgery have not been well described. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that baseline frailty would be associated with postoperative delirium and cognitive change at 1 and 12 months after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

This study was nested in 2 trials, each of which was conducted by the same research team with identical measurement of exposures and outcomes. Before surgery, patients were assessed with the validated "Fried" frailty scale, which evaluates 5 domains (shrinking, weakness, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slowed walking speed) and classifies patients as nonfrail, prefrail, and frail. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium during hospitalization, which was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method, Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, and validated chart review. Neuropsychological testing was a secondary outcome and was generally performed within 2 weeks of surgery and then 4-6 weeks and 1 year after surgery, and the outcome of interest was change in composite Z-score of the test battery. Associations were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models, with adjustment for variables considered a priori (age, gender, race, education, and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation). Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data at the 12-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Data were available from 133 patients with baseline frailty assessments. Compared to nonfrail patients (13% delirium incidence), the incidence of delirium was higher in prefrail (48% delirium incidence; risk difference, 35%; 95% CI, 10%-51%) and frail patients (48% delirium incidence; risk difference, 35%; 95% CI, 7%-53%). In both univariable and multivariable models, the odds of delirium were significantly higher for prefrail (adjusted odds ratio, 6.43; 95% CI, 1.31-31.64; P = .02) and frail patients (adjusted odds ratio, 6.31; 95% CI, 1.18-33.74; P = .03) compared to nonfrail patients. The adjusted decline in composite cognitive Z-score was greater from baseline to 1 month only in frail patients compared to nonfrail patients. By 1 year after surgery, there were no differences in the association of baseline frailty with change in cognition.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to nonfrail patients, both prefrail and frail patients were at higher risk for the primary outcome of delirium after cardiac surgery. Frail patients were also at higher risk for the secondary outcome of greater decline in cognition from baseline to 1 month, but not baseline to 1 year, after surgery.

Patient-ventilator asynchrony in conventional ventilation modes during short-term mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery: randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Studies regarding asynchrony in patients in the cardiac postoperative period are still only a few. The main objective of our study was to compare asynchronies incidence and its index (AI) in 3 different modes of ventilation (volume-controlled ventilation [VCV], pressure-controlled ventilation [PCV] and pressure-support ventilation [PSV]) after ICU admission for postoperative care.

METHODS

A prospective parallel randomised trialin the setting of a non-profitable hospital in Brazil. The participants were patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to VCV or PCV modes of ventilation and later both groups were transitioned to PSV mode.

RESULTS

All data were recorded for 5 minutes in each of the three different phases: T1) in assisted breath, T2) initial spontaneous breath and T3) final spontaneous breath, a marking point prior to extubation. Asynchronies were detected and counted by visual inspection method by two independent investigators. Reliability, inter-rater agreement of asynchronies, asynchronies incidence, total and specific asynchrony indexes (AIt and AIspecific) and odds of AI ≥10% weighted by total asynchrony were analysed. A total of 17 patients randomly allocated to the VCV (n=9) or PCV (n=8) group completed the study. High inter-rated agreement for AIt (ICC 0.978; IC95%, 0,963-0.987) and good reliability (r=0.945; p<0.001) were found. Eighty-two % of patients presented asynchronies, although only 7% of their total breathing cycles were asynchronous. Early cycling and double triggering had the highest rates of asynchrony with no difference between groups. The highest odds of AI ≥10% were observed in VCV regardless the phase: OR 2.79 (1.36-5.73) in T1 vs T2, p=0.005; OR 2.61 (1.27-5.37) in T1 vs T3, p=0.009 and OR 4.99 (2.37-10.37) in T2 vs T3, p<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a high incidence of breathing asynchrony in postoperative cardiac patients, especially when initially ventilated in VCV. VCV group had a higher chance of AI ≥10% and this chance remained high in the following PSV phases.

Delirium is prevalent in older hospital inpatients and associated with adverse outcomes: results of a prospective multi-centre study on World Delirium Awareness Day

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common severe neuropsychiatric condition secondary to physical illness, which predominantly affects older adults in hospital. Prior to this study, the UK point prevalence of delirium was unknown. We set out to ascertain the point prevalence of delirium across UK hospitals and how this relates to adverse outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study across 45 UK acute care hospitals. Older adults aged 65 years and older were screened and assessed for evidence of delirium on World Delirium Awareness Day (14th March 2018). We included patients admitted within the previous 48 h, excluding critical care admissions.

RESULTS

The point prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) delirium diagnosis was 14.7% (222/1507). Delirium presence was associated with higher Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS): CFS 4-6 (frail) (OR 4.80, CI 2.63-8.74), 7-9 (very frail) (OR 9.33, CI 4.79-18.17), compared to 1-3 (fit). However, higher CFS was associated with reduced delirium recognition (7-9 compared to 1-3; OR 0.16, CI 0.04-0.77). In multivariable analyses, delirium was associated with increased length of stay (+ 3.45 days, CI 1.75-5.07) and increased mortality (OR 2.43, CI 1.44-4.09) at 1 month. Screening for delirium was associated with an increased chance of recognition (OR 5.47, CI 2.67-11.21).

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium is prevalent in older adults in UK hospitals but remains under-recognised. Frailty is strongly associated with the development of delirium, but delirium is less likely to be recognised in frail patients. The presence of delirium is associated with increased mortality and length of stay at one month. A national programme to increase screening has the potential to improve recognition.

Delirium post-cardiac surgery: Incidence and associated factors

BACKGROUND

Post-operative delirium among cardiac surgery patients is a prevalent complication that associated with multiple negative outcomes.

AIM

This study aimed to assess delirium incidence, associated factors, and outcomes for adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

An exploratory prospective cohort design was used for this study.

METHODS

Delirium was diagnosed by the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Incidence, preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative variables for 245 patients during 3-month period were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

Delirium developed in 9% (n = 22) of the sample. Patients with delirium were significantly older (mean age = 65.7, SD = 8.1), t (243) = -3.66, P < .05); had longer surgery time (mean time = 286.3, SD = 82.2), t (243) = -2.25, P < .05); received more blood post-surgery (t (243) = -3.86, P < .05); spent more time on mechanical ventilation (t [21.6] = -2.2, P < .05); had longer critical care unit stay (t [21.7] = -4.0, P < 0.05); and had longer hospitalization than patients without delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors associated with development of delirium were advanced age and increased duration of surgery. Negative outcomes associated with delirium were increased duration of mechanical ventilation, increased volume of post-operative infused colloids and blood/products, increased critical care unit stay, and increased hospitalization. A multifactorial model for delirium risk factors should be considered to detect and work on potentially preventable delirium factors.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Post-cardiac surgery delirium leads to longer mechanical ventilation time, increased ICU stay, and prolonged hospitalization. Delirium post-cardiac surgery is potentially preventable with appropriate identification of risk factors by nurses.

Electronic Medical Record Versus Bedside Assessment: How to Evaluate Frailty in Trauma and Emergency General Surgery Patients?

BACKGROUND

Screening patients for frailty is traditionally done at the bedside. However, recent electronic medical record (EMR)-based, comorbidity-focused frailty assessments have been developed. Our objective was to determine how a common bedside frailty assessment, the trauma and emergency surgery (TEGS) frailty index (FI), compares to an EMR-based frailty assessment in predicting geriatric TEGS outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our quality improvement project database consisting of TEGS patients ≥ 65 y old. Patients were screened with the TEGS FI, a 15-question bedside assessment, including comorbidities, physical activity, emotional health, and nutrition. Six of 15 items were retrievable from the enterprise data warehouse (EDW), storing all EMR data from Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and use to calculate the EDW frailty score. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between different groups.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirty-six geriatric TEGS patients were included, of which 75 (31.8%) were TEGS FI frail and 60 (25.4%) were EDW frail. TEGS FI frail patients had increased length of stay (LOS), loss of independence (LOI), and complications compared to TEGS FI nonfrail patients. EDW frail patients had higher LOS and complications than EDW nonfrail patients but similar LOI. TEGS FI and EDW frail patients had similar outcomes except TEGS FI-only patients more often have LOI.

CONCLUSIONS

Bedside frailty assessments and EMR-based assessments are both effective in identifying geriatric TEGS patients at risk for increased LOS and complications. However, bedside frailty screening was better at identifying patients who have LOI and may be a more appropriate choice when screening for frailty.

Clinical frailty scale and outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of frailty on the outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and whether it may improve the predictive ability of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II).

METHODS

The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was assessed preoperatively in patients undergoing isolated CABG from the multicentre E-CABG registry, and patients were stratified into 3 classes: scores 1-2, scores 3-4 and scores 5-7.

RESULTS

Of the 6156 patients enrolled, 39.2% had CFS scores 1-2, 57.6% scores 3-4, and 3.2% scores 5-7. Logistic regression adjusted for multiple covariates showed that the CFS was an independent predictor of hospital/30-day mortality [CFS scores 3-4, odds ratio (OR) 3.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.19-7.14; CFS scores 5-7, OR 5.90, 95% CI 2.67-13.05] and resulted in an Integrated Improvement Index of 1.3 (P < 0.001) and a Net Reclassification Index of 55.6 (P < 0.001) for prediction of hospital/30-day mortality. Adding the CFS classes to EuroSCORE II resulted in an Integrated Improvement Index of 0.9 (P < 0.001) and Net Reclassification Index of 59.6 (P < 0.001) for prediction of hospital/30-day mortality with a significantly larger area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.809 vs 0.781, P = 0.028). The CFS was an independent predictor of mid-term mortality [CFS scores 3-4, hazard ratio (HR) 2.05, 95% CI 1.43-2.85; CFS scores 5-7, HR 3.05, 95% CI 1.83-5.06].

CONCLUSIONS

The CFS predicted early- and mid-term mortality in patients undergoing isolated CABG. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether frailty may improve the estimation of the operative risk of patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery.

Clinicaltrials.gov number

NCT02319083.

Special Considerations for the Aging Brain and Perioperative Neurocognitive Dysfunction

Postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occur commonly in older adults after surgery and are frequently underrecognized. Delirium has been associated with worse outcomes, and both delirium and cognitive dysfunction increase the risk of long-term cognitive decline. Although the pathophysiology of delirium and POCD have not been clearly defined, risk factors for both include increasing age, lower levels of education, and baseline cognitive impairment. In addition, developing delirium increases the risk of POCD. This article examines interventions that may reduce the risk of developing delirium and POCD and improve long-term recovery and outcomes in the vulnerable older population.

PREhabilitation for improving QUality of recovery after ELective cardiac surgery (PREQUEL) study: protocol of a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome in which multiple small physiological deficits accumulate gradually, resulting in a loss of physiological reserve and adaptability, putting a patient that is exposed to a stressor at a higher risk of adverse outcomes. Both pre-frailty and frailty are associated with poor patient outcomes and higher healthcare costs. The effect of a prehabilitation programme and standard care on the quality of recovery in pre-frail and frail patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery will be compared.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

A single-centre, superiority, stratified randomised controlled trial with a blinded outcome assessment and intention-to-treat analysis. Pre-frail and frail patients awaiting elective coronary artery bypass graft, with or without valvular repair/replacement, will be recruited. 164 participants will be randomly assigned to either prehabilitation (intervention) or standard care (no intervention) groups. The prehabilitation group will attend two sessions/week of structured exercise (aerobic and resistance) training, supervised by a physiotherapist, for 6-10 weeks before surgery with early health promotion advice in addition to standard care. The standard care group will receive the usual routine care (no prehabilitation). Frailty will be assessed at baseline, hospital admission and at 1 and 3 months after surgery. The primary outcomes will be participants' perceived quality of recovery (15-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire) after surgery (day 3), days at home within 30 days of surgery and the changes in WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 score between baseline and at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes will include major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, psychological distress levels, health-related quality of life and healthcare costs.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Joint CUHK-NTEC Clinical Research Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (CREC Ref. No. 2017.696 T). The findings will be presented at scientific meetings, in peer-reviewed journals and to study participants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1800016098; Pre-results.

Associations between Frailty and Delirium among Older Patients Admitted to an Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Switzerland's demographic trends show, as elsewhere on the planet, increasing numbers of older and very old adults. This suggests that its healthcare system will suffer serious repercussions, including in the use of care and especially the use of emergency services. Significant numbers of older adults will be at risk of developing multiple chronic conditions including one or more geriatric syndromes, such as frailty and delirium. Few studies to date have documented associations between frailty and delirium.

AIM

To explore the relationships between frailty and delirium in older adult patients consulting (n = 114) at an emergency department (ED) in Switzerland.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a peripheral hospital ED in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Frailty was assessed using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI). Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Participants' cognitive states were assessed using the 6-item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQ-CODE), completed by the participant's most significant informal caregiver.

RESULTS

The mean participant age was 77.6 years (SD = 7.7); the majority of the subjects were women (54%). The participants took an average of 4.7 different medications a day (SD = 3.2, median = 4). More than half (62%) of the participants were frail; 2 and 14% presented signs and symptoms of delirium and subsyndromal delirium, respectively. A weak but significant association between scores for frailty and delirium (p < 0.05) was demonstrated, and clinical observation confirmed this. A 4-h follow-up measurement of delirium in the ED revealed no significant or clinical difference.

CONCLUSION

Although the literature describes strong associations between frailty and delirium in surgical units and community care settings, the present study only demonstrated a weak-to-moderate association between frailty and delirium in our ED.

Frailty in cardiovascular disease: Screening tools

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in developed countries and disproportionately affects older adults. Frailty is a complex clinical syndrome with multiple causes and contributing factors in which there is increased vulnerability when exposed to a minor stressor and increased risk for adverse outcomes, such as disability, hospitalization and mortality. Frailty is an important prognostic factor in patients with CVD, and so identifying this feature when assessing these patients may help to individually tailor cardiovascular treatment. The first step is to identify frailty. Several tools have been validated as screening methods for frailty. However, they diverge with regard to complexity, nature, feasibility and the outcome they can predict. The aim of this review is to describe the available screening tools for frailty and to examine their usefulness in patients with CVD.

Translating Frailty Research Into Clinical Practice: Insights From the Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation Clinic

Aging researchers have been studying frailty for decades. Experts agree that frailty is a medical syndrome marked by reduced physiologic function, which increases the risk of vulnerability and short-term mortality, particularly in the face of a stressor. Frailty has been shown to predict poor outcomes including falls, disability, major morbidity following surgery, and mortality among older adults. Despite hundreds of papers identifying frailty as a useful marker of risk, its translation into clinical practice has lagged. The Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation (SAFE) clinic was established in 2011 specifically to implement routine and structured frailty assessment and management in a variety of referred patients. Now, more than 7 years after its inception, we offer our "in the trenches" clinical perspective on logistical challenges, the clinical utility of the frailty assessment, and future frailty needs and targets to help further the frailty translation research efforts.

Pre-Operative Frailty Status Is Associated with Cardiac Rehabilitation Completion: A Retrospective Cohort Study

While previous investigations have demonstrated the benefit of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on outcomes after cardiac surgery, the association between pre-operative frailty and post-operative CR completion is unclear. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to determine if pre-operative frailty scores impacted CR completion post-operatively and if CR completion influenced frailty scores in 114 cardiac surgery patients. Frailty was assessed with the use of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), the Modified Fried Criteria (MFC), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the Functional Frailty Index (FFI). A Mann-Whitney test was used to compare frailty scores between CR completers and non-completers and changes in frailty scores from baseline to 1-year post-operation. CR non-completers were more frail than CR completers at pre-operative baseline based on the CFS (p = 0.01), MFC (p < 0.001), SPPB (p = 0.007), and the FFI (p < 0.001). A change in frailty scores from baseline to 1-year post-operation was not detected in either group using any of the four frailty assessments. However, greater improvements from baseline to 1-year post-operation in two MFC domains (cognitive impairment and low physical activity) and the physical domain of the FFI were found in CR completers as compared to CR non-completers. These data suggest that pre-operative frailty assessments have the potential to identify participants who are less likely to attend and complete CR. The data also suggest that frailty assessment tools need further refinement, as physical domains of frailty function appear to be more sensitive to change following CR than other domains of frailty.

Ambulance clinicians' perceptions, assessment and management of frailty: thematic analysis of focus groups

Introduction:

More than half of all patients attended by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust are over the age of 65. In 2017, 62% of older patients who were the subject of a frailty assessment were believed to have at least mild frailty (1/5 of all patients). Frailty is an increasingly relevant concept/diagnosis and ambulance services are well positioned to identify frailty and influence the ‘care pathways’ through which patients are directed (thereby influencing health outcomes). Throughout the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, a mandatory training session regarding frailty was delivered to clinical personnel in 2017 and frailty assessment tools are available on the electronic Patient Clinical Record.

Aim:

To explore and gain insight into the current knowledge, practice and attitudes of ambulance clinicians regarding frailty and patients with frailty.

Methods:

Two focus groups of ambulance clinicians (n = 8; n = 9) recruited from across the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust were held in October 2017. Focus group discussions were analysed thematically.

Results:

Knowledge of conceptual models of frailty, appropriate assessment of patients with frailty and appropriate care pathways varied substantially among focus group participants. Completion of the ‘Rockwood’ Clinical Frailty Scale for relevant patients has become routine. However, conflicting opinions were expressed regarding the context and purpose of this. The Timed-Up-and-Go mobility assessment tool is also on the electronic Patient Clinical Record, but difficulties regarding its completion were expressed.

Patient management strategies ranged from treatment options which the ambulance service can provide, to referrals to primary/community care which can support the management of patients in their homes, and options to refer patients directly to hospital units or specialists with the aim of facilitating appropriate assessment, treatment and discharge. Perceptions of limited availability and geographical variability regarding these referral pathways was a major feature of the discussions, raising questions regarding awareness, capacity, inter-professional relationships and patient choice.

Conclusion:

Knowledge, practice and attitudes of ambulance staff, with regard to frailty, varied widely. This reflected the emerging nature of the condition, both academically and clinically, within the ambulance profession and the wider healthcare system.

Surgical outcomes after reoperation for recurrent non-skull base meningiomas

OBJECTIVE

Recurrent meningiomas are primarily managed with radiation therapy or repeat resection. Surgical morbidity after reoperation for recurrent meningiomas is poorly understood. Thus, the objective of this study was to report surgical outcomes after reoperation for recurrent non-skull base meningiomas.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients with recurrent meningioma who had prior resection and supratentorial non-skull base location. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression and recursive partitioning analysis were used to identify risk factors for surgical complications.

RESULTS

The authors identified 67 patients who underwent 111 reoperations for recurrent supratentorial non-skull base meningiomas. The median age was 53 years, 49% were female, and the median follow-up was 9.8 years. The most common presenting symptoms were headache, weakness, and seizure. The WHO grade after the last reoperation was grade I in 22% of cases, grade II in 51%, and grade III in 27%. The tumor grade increased at reoperation in 22% of cases. Tumors were located on the convexity (52%), parasagittal (33%), falx (31%), and multifocal (19%) locations. Tumors involved the middle third of the sagittal plane in 52% of cases. In the 111 reoperations, 48 complications occurred in 32 patients (48%). There were 26 (54%) complications requiring surgical intervention. There was no perioperative mortality. Complications included neurological deficits (14% total, 8% permanent), wound dehiscence/infection (14%), and CSF leak/pseudomeningocele/hydrocephalus (9%). Tumors that involved the middle third of the sagittal plane (OR 6.97, 95% CI 1.5-32.0, p = 0.006) and presentation with cognitive changes (OR 20.7, 95% CI 2.3-182.7, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with complication occurrence on multivariate analysis. The median survival after the first reoperation was 11.5 years, and the 2-, 5-, and 10-year Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 91.0%, 68.8%, and 50.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Reoperation for recurrent supratentorial non-skull base meningioma is associated with a high rate of complications. Patients with cognitive changes and tumors that overlap the middle third of the sagittal plane are at increased risk of complications. Nevertheless, excellent long-term survival can be achieved without perioperative mortality.

Strategy of Cardiovascular Surgery for Patients With Dementia as Evaluated by Mini-Mental State Examination

BACKGROUND

The strategy for cardiovascular surgery in dementia patients is controversial, so we aimed to investigate whether preoperative dementia and its severity might affect the outcomes of cardiovascular surgery by evaluating with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Methods and Results: The study group comprised 490 patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Their preoperative cognitive status was evaluated using the MMSE, and analysis was performed to compare the patients with MMSE score <24 (dementia group, n=51) or MMSE score 24-30 (non-dementia group, n=439). Furthermore, the effect of the severity of dementia was analyzed with a cut-off MMSE score of 19/20. Risk factors for surgical outcomes were explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Hospital mortality was 11.8% in the dementia group and 2.1% in the non-dementia group (P=0.002). Regarding the postoperative morbidities, the incidence of cerebrovascular disorder (P=0.001), pneumonia (P=0.039), delirium (P=0.004), and infection (P=0.006) was more frequent in dementia group. Among the patients with MMSE <20, hospital mortality was as high as 25%, and the rate of delirium was 58%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that MMSE score <24 (P=0.003), lower serum albumin (P=0.023) and aortic surgery (P=0.036) were independent risk factors for hospital death.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative dementia affects the outcomes of cardiovascular surgery with regard to hospital death and delirium. The surgical indication for patients with MMSE <20 might be difficult, but surgery with an appropriate strategy should be considered for patients with MMSE <24.

Frailty and Delirium in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relationship between frailty and delirium.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles on frailty and delirium published on or before October 31, 2017.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65 and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Two authors independently reviewed all English-language citations, extracted relevant data, and assessed studies for potential bias. Articles involving pediatric or neurosurgical populations, alcohol or substance abuse, psychiatric illness, head trauma, or stroke, as well as review articles, letters, and case reports were excluded. Studies underwent qualitative or quantitative analysis according to specified criteria. Using a random-effects or fixed-effects model, relative risk (RR) was calculated for the effect of frailty as a predictor of subsequent delirium. Heterogeneity was tested using Q and I² statistics.

RESULTS

We identified 1,626 articles from our initial search, of which 20 fulfilled the selection criteria (N=5,541 participants, mean age 77.8). Eight studies were eligible for meta-analysis, showing a significant association between Q2 frailty and subsequent delirium (RR = 2.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.65-2.91). There was low variability among studies in the measures of association between frailty and delirium (I² 2.24, p-value Q-statistic = .41) but high heterogeneity in the methods used to assess the two conditions.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis supports the existence of an independent relationship between frailty and delirium, although there is notable methodological heterogeneity between the methods used to assess the 2 conditions. Future studies are needed to better delineate the dynamics between these syndromes.

The incremental predictive value of frailty measures in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A systematic review

Emerging evidence demonstrates that frailty measures can predict adverse outcomes after cardiac procedures. Our objectives were to examine whether the inclusion of frailty measures adds incremental predictive value to existing surgical risk prediction models in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to evaluate the reporting and methods of studies that investigated the prediction of frailty measures in cardiology. The inclusion of frailty measures adds incremental predictive value on existing perioperative risk-scoring systems. We systematically searched the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies. Studies were included according to predefined inclusion criteria. The quality of included studies was appraised using the QUADAS-2 tool. Data were extracted and synthesized according to predefined methods. Twelve studies were included in the analysis. Included studies demonstrated the incremental predictive value of frailty measures on existing surgical risk models for mortality, but the predictive value of frailty measures alone was not consistent across literature. Few studies that investigated the predictive ability of frailty measures reported all important model performance measures. When comparing the predictive value of frailty measures with existing models, few studies reported if the frailty measurement was separately performed from the existing perioperative risk assessment. The addition of frailty measures to the existing perioperative risk models improved the prediction performance for mortality, but the incorporation of frailty assessment into perioperative risk assessment requires further evidence before making health policy recommendations.

Perioperative cognitive protection

There is significant evidence that many older surgical patients experience at least a transient decrease in cognitive function. Although there is still equipoise regarding the degree, duration, and mechanism of cognitive dysfunction, there is a concurrent need to provide best-practice clinical evidence. The two major cognitive disorders seen after surgery are postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Delirium is a public health problem; millions of dollars are spent annually on delirium-related medical resource use and prolonged hospital stays. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a research construct that historically signifies decline in performance on a neuropsychiatric test or group of tests and begins days to weeks after surgery. This review focuses on the current state of information gathered by several interdisciplinary stakeholder groups. Although there is still a need for high-level evidence to guide clinical practice, there is an emerging literature that can guide practitioners.