Pregabalin in the Prevention of Postoperative Delirium and Pain

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of the Perioperative Administration of Pregabalin in Reducing the Incidence of Postoperative Delirium and Improving Acute Postoperative Pain Management

The purpose of this study is to determine whether administration of pregabalin by mouth immediately preoperatively and three times daily for 3 days after surgery reduces the incidence of delirium postoperatively and improves overall pain control.

Delirium is a common postoperative complication occurring in up to 73% of patients sometime during their hospital stay. Elderly patients undergoing major surgical procedures are at highest risk. While many risk factors for delirium are known, the specific pathophysiology of postoperative delirium remains unclear and is likely multifactorial. The most common inciting agents and events include metabolic causes, medications, blood loss, hypoxemia and pain. Pain and its management are intimately related to the likelihood of developing postoperative delirium. As a class, gabapentinoids, such as pregabalin, have proven to reduce postoperative pain and narcotic consumption and therefore may have a role to play in the prevention of postoperative delirium.

Single dose of 75 mg given 30-60 minutes preoperatively, then 50 mg every 8 hours for 3 days postoperatively if creatinine clearance > 60 ml/min OR 25 mg every 8 hours for 3 days postoperatively if creatinine clearance 30-60 ml/min

Pregabalin capsule 75 mg given preoperatively, then eith 50 mg or 25 mg given every 8 hours for 3 days postoperatively based on renal function

Inclusion Criteria: aged 60 years and older booked for major orthopaedic or vascular procedure expected length of stay > 2 days Exclusion Criteria: open AAA repair EVAR allergy/sensitivity to pregabalin or gabapentin use of pregabalin or gabapentin in previous 14 days severe liver disease severe renal dysfunction defined as either having creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min or being dialysis-dependent seizure disorder MMSE < 24/30 inability to speak English or French

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