Low Cerebrovenous Oxygen Saturation Associated with Disorientation in Post-Surgical Patients

Strategic Insights -

A study conducted at the University of Louisville Health Science Center has found a correlation between low cerebrovenous oxygen saturation and disorientation in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The investigation, presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, found that disorientation was not linked to other neurologic monitors used during surgery, including transcranial Doppler monitoring and bispectral index. The study also reported that disorientation is age-related, with patients under 70 experiencing a 5% incidence and those over 70 experiencing a 20% incidence.

Key Takeaways:

  • Low cerebrovenous oxygen saturation is associated with disorientation in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, according to a retrospective study from the University of Louisville Health Science Center.
  • Disorientation was not associated with readings from other neurologic monitors, such as transcranial Doppler monitoring and bispectral index.
  • The study found that disorientation is age-related, with a 5% incidence in patients under 70 and a 20% incidence in those over 70.
  • The Cerebral Oximeter, developed by Somanetics Corporation, can identify low regional brain oxygen saturation, potentially preventing post-operative cognitive decline.
  • The study suggests that cerebral oximetry is a valuable tool in identifying brain oxygen imbalances during surgery and in critical care areas.
  • The American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting presentation highlighted the potential for using cerebral oximetry in various medical contexts, including hip surgery and other non-cardiac and non-cancer surgeries.
  • Somanetics' INVOS Cerebral Oximeter is the only FDA-cleared and commercially-available monitoring system providing regional brain oxygen information on a noninvasive and continuous basis.
  • The study's findings confirm a previous investigation indicating that patients older than 60 have a high risk of experiencing neurologic deficits under general anesthesia, with a 26% chance reported in a multi-center study.

Statistics:

  • A 5% incidence of disorientation was found in patients under 70 years of age.
  • A 20% incidence of disorientation was found in patients over 70 years of age.
  • The study reported that patients older than 60 undergoing non-cardiac and non-cancer surgeries have a 26% chance of experiencing a neurologic deficit while under general anesthesia, based on a previous international, multi-center study.
  • The Cerebral Oximeter, developed by Somanetics Corporation, is a noninvasive monitoring system used to identify brain oxygen imbalances.

Sources:

  • Study presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting.
  • Study published in The Lancet, March 21, 1998.
  • Somanetics Corporation press release, October 19, 1998.