Sleep in octogenarians during the postoperative phase after transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement

Perioperative Sleep Disturbance in Surgical Patients: A Concept Analysis

To investigate and define the concept of perioperative sleep disturbance (PSD) among surgical patients, with the goal of aiding clinical practice and research. Walker and Avant's eight-step approach of concept analysis was applied. A systematic search of English literature was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL, with a time restriction from 2010 to August 2023. Based on the 54 eligible studies, the attributes of PSD in surgical patients were identified as individualized symptom manifestation, difficulty initiating and/or maintaining sleep, and altered sleep patterns. The antecedents included poor psychological state, inaccurate perception, surgery and/or anesthesia-related physiological changes, and environmental interference. PSD in surgical patients was found to result in physical discomfort, psychological disorder, impaired neurocognitive function, and prolonged recovery. A clearly defined and distinguishable concept of PSD in surgical patients was achieved through concept analysis, which provides a conceptual basis for future development in both clinical practice and related research.

Mental health and transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A scoping systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature on mental health symptoms before and after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and describe reported clinical associations with these symptoms.

METHODS

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, we reviewed studies involving pre- or post-TAVR mental health assessments or psychiatric diagnoses.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were included. Before TAVR, clinically significant depression and anxiety prevalence is 15-30% and 25-30%, respectively, with only a third of these meeting diagnostic thresholds. These symptoms generally improve over the year post-TAVR. Depression is associated with functional impairment, multimorbidity, and lower physical activity; few associations have been described in relation to anxiety. Inconsistent evidence finds depression associated with post-TAVR mortality. One notable study found persistent depression independently predictive of 12-month mortality, and another found depression and cognition to have additive value in predicting mortality risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health symptoms occur in a significant proportion of the TAVR population. Although symptoms tend to improve, the associations with depression, particularly persistent depression, call for further investigation to examine their associated outcomes. Research is also needed to understand the relationships between mental health conditions and cognition in TAVR-related outcomes.

The Role of Wearable Sensors to Monitor Physical Activity and Sleep Patterns in Older Adult Inpatients: A Structured Review

Low levels of physical activity (PA) and sleep disruption are commonly seen in older adult inpatients and are associated with poor health outcomes. Wearable sensors allow for objective continuous monitoring; however, there is no consensus as to how wearable sensors should be implemented. This review aimed to provide an overview of the use of wearable sensors in older adult inpatient populations, including models used, body placement and outcome measures. Five databases were searched; 89 articles met inclusion criteria. We found that studies used heterogenous methods, including a variety of sensor models, placement and outcome measures. Most studies reported the use of only one sensor, with either the wrist or thigh being the preferred location in PA studies and the wrist for sleep outcomes. The reported PA measures can be mostly characterised as the frequency and duration of PA (Volume) with fewer measures relating to intensity (rate of magnitude) and pattern of activity (distribution per day/week). Sleep and circadian rhythm measures were reported less frequently with a limited number of studies providing both physical activity and sleep/circadian rhythm outcomes concurrently. This review provides recommendations for future research in older adult inpatient populations. With protocols of best practice, wearable sensors could facilitate the monitoring of inpatient recovery and provide measures to inform participant stratification and establish common objective endpoints across clinical trials.

Sleep in hospitalized pediatric and adult patients - A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Sleep is essential for recovery from illness. As a result, researchers have shown a growing interest in the sleep of hospitalized patients. Although many studies have been conducted over the past years, an up to date systematic review of the results is missing.

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to assess sleep quality and quantity of hospitalized patients and sleep disturbing factors.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted within four scientific databases. The search focused on synonyms of 'sleep' and 'hospitalization'. Papers written in English or Dutch from inception to April 25th,2022 were included for hospitalized patients >1 year of age. Papers exclusively reporting about patients receiving palliative, obstetric or psychiatric care were excluded, as well as patients in rehabilitation and intensive care settings, and long-term hospitalized geriatric patients. This review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Out of 542 full text studies assessed for eligibility, 203 were included, describing sleep quality and/or quantity of 17,964 patients. The median sample size of the studies was 51 patients (IQR 67, range 6-1472). An exploratory meta-analysis of the Total Sleep Time showed an average of 7.2 h (95%-CI 4.3, 10.2) in hospitalized children, 5.7 h (95%-CI 4.8, 6.7) in adults and 5.8 h (95%-CI 5.3, 6.4) in older patients (>60y). In addition, a meta-analysis of the Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO) showed a combined high average of 1.8 h (95%-CI 0.7, 2.9). Overall sleep quality was poor, also due to nocturnal awakenings. The most frequently cited external factors for poor sleep were noise and number of patients in the room. Among the variety of internal/disease-related factors, pain and anxiety were most frequently mentioned to be associated with poor sleep.

Conclusion

Of all studies, 76% reported poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep duration in hospitalized patients. Children sleep on average 0.7-3.8 h less in the hospital than recommended. Hospitalized adults sleep 1.3-3.2 h less than recommended for healthy people. This underscores the need for interventions to improve sleep during hospitalization to support recovery.

Zolpidem improves patients' sleep quality after surgical treatment for infective endocarditis: a prospective observational study

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of zolpidem for improving post-operative sleep quality among patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and to identify the potential risk factors for impaired sleep quality at 6 months after surgery.

METHODS

Patients with IE who underwent surgical treatment were divided into two groups according to zolpidem usage. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to evaluate patients' sleep quality and daytime sleepiness at baseline, which was the second day after transferal, and at 6 months after surgery. Logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors.

RESULTS

There were 32 patients in the zolpidem group and 42 in the control group. The PSQI and ESS scores at 6 months after surgery were significantly lower than those at baseline in both groups (P = 0.04). Additionally, 9 patients (28%) in the zolpidem group and 22 patients (52%) in the control group suffered poor sleep quality. Multivariate analysis identified age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.42), baseline PSQI score (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.55-4.65), and no zolpidem usage (OR = 45.48, 95%CI: 3.01-691.23) as independent factors for poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality after IE surgery was prevalent among patients even 6 months after IE surgery. Age, baseline PSQI score and no zolpidem usage were independently associated with poor sleep quality. Therefore, zolpidem has the potential to be an effective part of a treatment arsenal for poor sleep quality after surgical treatment for IE.

Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

The present study aimed to analyze sleep quality and quality of Life (QoL) in patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). It was conducted at the Interventional Cardiology Unit of the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health of the University of Padova on 27 adult patients who underwent TAVI via the transfemoral approach. Patients completed two validated instruments, i.e., the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L), on the day of discharge and one month after the hospital discharge. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled with a severe aortic stenosis diagnosis, treated with transfemoral TAVI procedure. The study population included seventeen poor sleepers and ten good sleepers with a median age of 81.92 years overall. The global PSQI evaluation revealed a small significant improvement at follow-up (p-value 0.007). Small positive changes were detected in the Self-care and Usual activity domains of the EQ-5D-5L and the EQ-VAS. No correlation was detected between EQ-5D-5L and sleep quality. The present study confirms the importance of sleep quality monitoring in patients who undergo TAVI procedure for aortic stenosis treatment.

Sleep disturbance: The overlooked side after open heart surgery in adults

BACKGROUND

Sleep is essential for full mental and physical renewal. Cardiac surgery improves the life expectancy and quality. But unfortunately, some patients lacked that merit as they suffered sleep disturbance. We used validated questionnaire applied to 153 cardiac surgery patients to assess the sleep disturbances after surgery.

RESULTS

About 70 (45.8%) had valve procedure, 55 (36%) had revascularization, 19 (12.4%) had both procedures and 9 (5.8%) had other procedures. The majority had no post-operative bleeding nor infection. About 78% had sleeping difficulty for one month. About 50% used different medications to fall asleep, mostly analgesics. About 76% slept after 2-6 h irrespective of sleep quality. Some patients had poor sleep quality in the form of nightmares and night terrors.

CONCLUSION

Sleep quality was disturbed immediately following cardiac surgery. There was a reduction of night sleep compensated by increased daytime sleepiness. These changes almost reverted one month after surgery.

Octogenarian patients' sleep and delirium experiences in hospital and four years after aortic valve replacement: a qualitative interview study

OBJECTIVES

Sleep disturbances and delirium are frequently observed complications after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI), especially in octogenarian patients. However, a knowledge gap exists on patient experiences of sleep and delirium. In particular, patients' long-term sleep and delirium experiences are unknown. This article explores and describes how octogenarian patients suffering from delirium after aortic valve replacement experience their sleep and delirium situation.

DESIGN

An explorative and descriptive design with a longitudinal qualitative approach was applied. Qualitative content analysis following the recommended steps of Graneheim and Lundman was performed.

SETTING

Patients were included at a tertiary university hospital with 1400 beds. Delirium and insomnia screening was performed at baseline and five postoperative days after aortic valve treatment. For qualitative data, 10 patients were interviewed 6-12 months after treatment with focus on delirium. Five of these patients were reinterviewed 4 years after treatment, with focus on their sleep situation.

PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion criteria; age 80+, treated with SAVR or TAVI and had experienced delirium after treatment.

RESULTS

For the initial interview, we included five men and five women, four following TAVI and six following SAVR, mean age 83. One overarching theme revealed from the content analyses; Hours in bed represented emotional chaos. Whereas three subthemes described the patients' experiences with sleep and delirium, a cascade of distressful experiences disturbing sleep, the struggle between sleep and activity and elements influencing sleep. Four years after the treatment, sleep disturbances persisted, and patients still remembered strongly the delirium incidences.

CONCLUSIONS

For octogenarian patients, sleep disturbances and delirium are long-term burdens and need a greater attention in order to improve patient care.

Rethinking rehabilitation after percutaneous coronary intervention: a protocol of a multicentre cohort study on continuity of care, health literacy, adherence and costs at all care levels (the CONCARDPCI)

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) aims to provide instant relief of symptoms, and improve functional capacity and prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease. Although patients may experience a quick recovery, continuity of care from hospital to home can be challenging. Within a short time span, patients must adjust their lifestyle, incorporate medications and acquire new support. Thus, CONCARD^PCI will identify bottlenecks in the patient journey from a patient perspective to lay the groundwork for integrated, coherent pathways with innovative modes of healthcare delivery. The main objective of the CONCARD^PCI is to investigate (1) continuity of care, (2) health literacy and self-management, (3) adherence to treatment, and (4) healthcare utilisation and costs, and to determine associations with future short and long-term health outcomes in patients after PCI.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This prospective multicentre cohort study organised in four thematic projects plans to include 3000 patients. All patients undergoing PCI at seven large PCI centres based in two Nordic countries are prospectively screened for eligibility and included in a cohort with a 1-year follow-up period including data collection of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and a further 10-year follow-up for adverse events. In addition to PROs, data are collected from patient medical records and national compulsory registries.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approval has been granted by the Norwegian Regional Committee for Ethics in Medical Research in Western Norway (REK 2015/57), and the Data Protection Agency in the Zealand region (REG-145-2017). Findings will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and to patients through patient organisations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03810612.

"Eight Days of Nightmares … " - Octogenarian Patients' Experiences of Postoperative Delirium after Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are increasingly performed in octogenarian patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), including those with high surgical risk. Postoperative delirium (PD) is a common and serious complication in older patients, characterised by reduced awareness, change in consciousness, disturbance in logical thinking and hallucinations.

METHODS

To explore how octogenarian patients experienced PD, a qualitative study was conducted including five women and five men between 81 and 88 years. The incidence of PD was assessed for five days using the Confusion Assessment Method. Cognitive function was assessed preoperatively and at a 6-month follow-up using the Mini-Mental State Examination. In-depth interviews were conducted 6-12 months post-discharge, transcribed, and analysed using Giorgi's phenomenological method.

RESULTS

Postoperative delirium experiences were grouped into six themes: "Like dreaming while awake", "Disturbed experiences of time", "Existing in a twilight zone", "Trapped in medical tubes", "Moving between different surroundings" and "Meeting with death and the deceased".

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we show that octogenarian patients who undergo SAVR or TAVI have strong and distressing memories of their delirious state that can persist for up to 12 months later. These findings provide valuable new information that will likely improve delivery of health services and enhance professional and empathic care of octogenarians after SAVR and TAVI.

Readmissions and mortality in delirious versus non-delirious octogenarian patients after aortic valve therapy: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether postoperative delirium predicts first-time readmissions and mortality in octogenarian patients within 180 days after aortic valve therapy with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and to determine the most common diagnoses at readmission.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective SAVR or TAVI.

SETTING

Tertiary university hospital that performs all SAVRs and TAVIs in Western Norway.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients 80+ years scheduled for SAVR or TAVI and willing to participate in the study were eligible. Those unable to speak Norwegian were excluded. Overall, 143 patients were included, and data from 136 are presented.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was a composite variable of time from discharge to first all-cause readmission or death. Secondary outcomes were all-cause first readmission alone and mortality within 180 days after discharge, and the primary diagnosis at discharge from first-time readmission. Delirium was assessed with the confusion assessment method. First-time readmissions, diagnoses and mortality were identified in hospital information registries.

RESULTS

Delirium was identified in 56% of patients. The effect of delirium on readmissions and mortality was greatest during the first 2 months after discharge (adjusted HR 2.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 5.7)). Of 30 first-time readmissions occurring within 30 days, 24 (80%) were patients who experienced delirium. 1 patient (non-delirium group) died within 30 days after therapy. Delirious patients comprised 35 (64%) of 55 first-time readmissions occurring within 180 days. Circulatory system diseases and injuries were common causes of first-time readmissions within 180 days in delirious patients. 8 patients died 180 days after the procedure; 6 (75%) of them experienced delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium in octogenarians after aortic valve therapy might be a serious risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disorders and injuries were associated with first-time readmissions in these patients.