Preoperative biomarkers associated with delayed neurocognitive recovery

To identify baseline biomarkers of delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) using monitors commonly used in anesthesia. In this sub-study of observational prospective cohorts, we evaluated adult patients submitted to general anesthesia in a tertiary academic center in the United States. Electroencephalographic (EEG) features and cerebral oximetry were assessed in the perioperative period. The primary outcome was dNCR, defined as a decrease of 2 scores in the global Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) between the baseline and postoperative period. Forty-six adults (median [IQR] age, 65 [15]; 57% females; 65% American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 3 were analyzed. Thirty-one patients developed dNCR (67%). Baseline higher EEG power in the lower alpha band (AUC = 0.73 (95% CI 0.48–0.93)) and lower alpha peak frequency (AUC = 0.83 (95% CI 0.48–1)), as well as lower cerebral oximetry (68 [5] vs 72 [3], p = 0.011) were associated with dNCR. Higher EEG power in the lower alpha band, lower alpha peak frequency, and lower cerebral oximetry values can be surrogates of baseline brain vulnerability.