Perioperative Cognitive Function - Dexmedetomidine and Cognitive Reserve
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Elderly patients who undergo anesthesia and non-cardiac surgery are subject to deterioration
of brain function including the development of postoperative delirium (PD) and postoperative
cognitive dysfunction (POCD). These disorders cause disability, distress for both patients
and their families, are associated with other medical complications and account for
significant additional health care costs. We currently use relatively primitive approaches to
preventing and treating PD and POCD.
Dexmedetomidine is a drug used for sedation in critically ill patients that provides some
pain relief and controls the bodies response to stress. The sedation produced by
dexmedetomidine appears more similar to natural sleep than any other drug used for anesthesia
and postoperative sedation. Data suggesting that dexmedetomidine can prevent delirium
following cardiac surgery and the developing understanding of the causes of PD and POCD
suggest that dexmedetomidine will be particularly effective.