Cognitive Outcomes After Dexmedetomidine Sedation in Cardiac Surgery Patients (CODEX)

Anesthesia is a drug induced, reversible, comatose state that facilitates surgery and it is widely assumed that cognition returns to baseline after anesthetics have been eliminated. However, many patients have persistent memory impairment for weeks to months after surgery. Cardiac surgery appears to carry the highest risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). These cognitive deficits are associated with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay and loss of independence. The investigators propose to investigate the role of Dexmedetomidine (DEX) in preventing long-term POCD after cardiac surgery and enhancing early postoperative recovery. It is anticipated that DEX will be the first effective preventative therapy for POCD, improve patient outcomes, and reduce length of stay and healthcare costs.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly potent and selective α2-adrenoceptors (α2R) agonist used in clinical practice for sedation, analgesia, and anxiolysis, was recently shown to have beneficial effects on early cognitive changes by reducing delirium in humans. It also reduced memory impairment after surgery and isoflurane anesthesia, both in elderly mice (20-22 months) and in pups exposed to anesthesia in the early postnatal period. Importantly, co-treatment with DEX has been shown to restore learning and memory function in rats exposed to propofol in utero. Therefore, the investigators set out to investigate whether DEX has an effect on cognitive dysfunction months after surgery and whether it accelerates cognitive recovery from anesthesia and surgery. This is a multi-site trial facilitated by Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO). Participants will be randomized 1:1 in permuted blocks of 4 to 8. The randomization sequence will be computer generated and stratified by 2 factors, planned procedure (CABG/CABG + valve or valve only procedure) and study site. In hospital outcomes include delirium (assessed twice daily post-operative day (POD) 0-10, death, hemodynamic instability requiring vasopressors, time to extubation, re-intubation (and reason), length of stay (in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit and total hospital), POCD, depressive symptoms between POD 4-10, post-operative complications (infection [surgical site, sepsis, pneumonia], myocardial infarction, renal replacement therapy, re-operation, cumulative opioid consumption (to POD 5), in-hospital mortality. Post-operative outcomes include POCD (3/6/12 months), depression (3/6/12 months), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at 3/6/12 months (defined as 1-2 standard deviations below age matched controls), persistent surgical site pain at sternotomy/thoracotomy/graft harvest site (Brief Pain Inventory, 3/6/12 months), recovery (3,6, 12 months).

Delirium, Cognitive Dysfunction, Cognition Disorder, Neurocognitive Disorders, Mental Disorders, Confusion, Neurobehavioral Manifestations, Neurologic Manifestations, Nervous System Diseases, Signs and Symptoms, Dexmedetomidine, Hypnotics and Sedatives, Central Nervous System Depressants, Physiological Effects of Drugs, Analgesics, Non-Narcotic, Analgesics, Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action

Patients will receive a loading dose of 1.2 μg/kg dexmedetomidine prior to transfer to CVICU over 20 min immediately postoperative, followed by continuous infusion of 0.1- 1.2 μg/kg/h for up to 24 hours or until patient is ready for discharge from CVICU (whichever is earlier).

Dexmedetomidine will be initiated prior to transfer to the CVICU with loading dose of 1.2 ug kg-1 over approximately 20 minutes. This will be followed by an infusion at 0.1-1.2 ug kg-1h-1 in CVICU for up to 24 hours from the time DEX infusion started or until the patient is ready for discharge from the CVICU (whichever is earlier).

Confusion Assessment Method (CAM/CAM-ICU) or Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC), binary scale to determine if delirium is present or absent

Inclusion Criteria: Planned CABG (+/- valve, including off-pump) or valve replacement via sternotomy/thoracotomy, with initial recovery in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) Age ≥60 Exclusion Criteria: Lack of patient consent Pre-operative major cognitive dysfunction (CogState Brief Battery score < 80) Aortic arch replacement/re-implantation (Bentalls) Allergy/contraindication to dexmedetomidine (untreated 2nd degree type 2 or 3rd degree heart block (pacemaker), cirrhosis, HR < 50 , grade 4 LV, renal failure or on renal replacement therapy) Unlikely to comply with study assessments (e.g. no fixed address, cannot complete cognitive tests at the 3, 6, and 12 month time points)

All de-identified participants data collected during this trial that underlie the results reported in the publication(s) will be available upon request after publication of the primary results.

Data will be available upon request immediately after publication of the primary results. No end date.

Choi S, Jerath A, Jones P, Avramescu S, Djaiani G, Syed S, Saha T, Kaustov L, Kiss A, D'Aragon F, Hedlin P, Rajamohan R, Couture EJ, Singh A, Mapplebeck JC, Wong S, Orser BA. Cognitive Outcomes after DEXmedetomidine sedation in cardiac surgery: CODEX randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2021 Apr 13;11(4):e046851. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046851.