Target Hemodynamics and Brain Injury During General Anesthesia in the Elderly

BACKGROUND: Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a potentially irreversible loss of brain functions observed in elderly patients after surgical operations under general anaesthesia. POCD at 3 post-operative months is observed in up to 15% of patients aged 70 years and more, and the only recognized risk factor for this condition is increasing age. Importantly, the incidence of POCD at 3 months has been associated to an increased disability and mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study will evaluate in patients aged 75 years and older undergoing general anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery, whether an hemodynamic strategy, aiming at maintaining intra-operative arterial blood pressure close to patient\'s preoperative blood pressure, i.e., to avoid hypotensive episodes, reduces the incidence of POCD at three months. METHODS: Around 1800 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia for elective non-cardiac surgery will be enrolled. Each patient\'s cognitive function will be evaluated preoperatively and at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, together with the occurrence of hearing loss and vestibular function impairment. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative delirium and cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious complications will be evaluated. EXPECTED RESULTS: The primary outcome is a 25% relative reduction in the incidence of POCD at 3 postoperative months. Secondary outcomes are the reduction of POCD incidence at 1 postoperative year, a reduction in postoperative hearing loss and vestibular impairment at 3 months, a reduction in the incidence of delirium. Hospital length of stay and 90 day mortality will also be assessed. This present study could have a high socio-economic impact, reduce healthcare costs and patient morbidity and mortality with a simple not expensive intraoperative intervention.