Association Between Cerebral Desaturation and Postoperative Delirium in Thoracotomy With One-Lung Ventilation: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: The association between cerebral desaturation and postoperative delirium in thoracotomy with one-lung ventilation (OLV) has not been specifically studied. METHODS: A prospective observational study performed in thoracic surgical patients. Cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (Scto(2)) was monitored on the left and right foreheads using a nearinfrared spectroscopy oximeter. Baseline Scto(2) was measured with patients awake and breathing room air. The minimum Scto(2) was the lowest measurement at any time during surgery. Cerebral desaturation and hypersaturation were an episode of Scto(2) below and above a given threshold for >= 15 seconds during surgery, respectively. The thresholds based on relative changes by referring to the baseline measurement were <80%, <85%, <90%, <95%, and <100% baseline for desaturation and >105%, >110%, >115%, and >120% baseline for hypersaturation. The thresholds based on absolute values were <50%, <55%, <60%, <65%, and <70% for desaturation and >75%, >80%, >85%, and >90% for hypersaturation. The given area under the threshold (AUT)/area above the threshold (AAT) was analyzed. Delirium was assessed until postoperative day 5. The primary analysis was the association between the minimum Scto(2) and delirium using multivariable logistic regression controlled for confounders (age, OLV time, use of midazolam, occurrence of hypotension, and severity of pain). The secondary analysis was the association between cerebral desaturation/hypersaturation and delirium, and between the AUT/AAT and delirium using multivariable logistic regression controlled for the same confounders. Multiple testing was corrected using the Holm-Bonferroni method. We additionally monitored somatic tissue oxygen saturation on the forearm and upper thigh. RESULTS: Delirium occurred in 35 (20%) of 175 patients (65 +/- 6 years old). The minimum left or right Scto(2) was not associated with delirium. Cerebral desaturation defined by <90% baseline for left Scto(2) (odds ratio [OR], 5.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12-19.2; corrected P =.008) and <85% baseline for right Scto(2) (OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.77-11.0; corrected P =.01) was associated with an increased risk of delirium. Cerebral desaturation defined by other thresholds, cerebral hypersaturation, the AUT/AAT, and somatic desaturation and hypersaturation were all not associated with delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral desaturation defined by <90% baseline for left Scto(2) and <85% baseline for right Scto(2), but not the minimum Scto(2), may be associated with an increased risk of postthoracotomy delirium. The validity of these thresholds needs to be tested by randomized controlled trials.

Automated summary

This study investigated the association between cerebral desaturation and postoperative delirium in thoracic surgical patients undergoing one-lung ventilation (OLV). The results showed that cerebral desaturation defined by <90% baseline for left Scto(2) and <85% baseline for right Scto(2) were associated with an increased risk of delirium, while the minimum Scto(2) and other factors were not significantly associated with delirium.