Cognitive Outcomes After Dexmedetomidine Sedation in Cardiac Surgery Patients
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2026-03-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Anesthesia is a drug induced, reversible, comatose state that facilitates surgery and it is
widely assumed that cognition returns to baseline after anesthetics have been eliminated.
However, many patients have persistent memory impairment for weeks to months after surgery.
Cardiac surgery appears to carry the highest risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction
(POCD). These cognitive deficits are associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital
stay and loss of independence. The investigators propose to investigate the role of
Dexmedetomidine (DEX) in preventing long-term POCD after cardiac surgery and enhancing early
postoperative recovery. It is anticipated that DEX will be the first effective preventative
therapy for POCD, improve patient outcomes, and reduce length of stay and healthcare costs.
Phase:
Phase 4
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Collaborators:
London Health Sciences Centre McMaster University University Health Network, Toronto