The Study of Postoperative Delirium and Glymphatic System Function in Cardiac Surgery

Launched by NANJING FIRST HOSPITAL, NANJING MEDICAL UNIVERSITY · Mar 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how the brain's waste-clearing system, called the glymphatic system, may relate to a common condition known as postoperative delirium (POD) that can occur after heart surgery. Postoperative delirium is a sudden change in mental function that can make it hard for patients to focus or think clearly, typically happening within the first week after surgery. The study aims to understand the connection between this brain system's function and the risk of developing delirium after cardiac surgery, which can lead to longer hospital stays and other complications.

To participate in the study, individuals must be at least 60 years old and scheduled for certain types of heart surgeries that involve a heart-lung machine. However, those with specific medical history, such as previous brain surgery or certain mental health conditions, are not eligible. Participants will undergo assessments using advanced imaging techniques to help researchers learn more about how the glymphatic system works and its potential role in postoperative delirium. This knowledge could help in finding new ways to prevent or treat delirium after heart surgery, improving patient outcomes.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (such as coronary artery bypass grafting, bioprosthetic valve replacement, valve repair, congenital heart surgery, etc.);
• • 2. Age ≥ 60 years.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Aortic dissection and other surgeries involving major blood vessels;
• • 2. A history of mental illness with related medication use; preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \< 27; preoperative delirium;
• • 3. A history of neurosurgery or traumatic brain injury; if a focal brain lesion larger than 3 cm occurs during the study, the data will be excluded from subsequent analyses;
• • 4. Hearing and language impairments that affect communication;
• • 5. Contraindications to MRI (e.g., presence of metal implants in the body, including prosthetic valve replacement, internal fixation plates after fracture surgery, etc.).