Biopharmaceutics and Biologic Drugs

Biography

Biography: Lívia Stocco Sanches Valentin

Abstract

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a multifactorial adverse event most frequently in elderly patients or people aged over 60 years, neurological and psychiatric diseases. This study evaluated the effect of dexamethasone on POCD incidence after non-cardiac surgery and general anesthesia. Methods: One hundred and forty patients (ASA I–II; age 60–87 years) took part in a prospective randomized study involving the administration or not of 8 mg of IV dexamethasone before deep or superficial anesthesia according to bispectral index. Neuropsychological tests were applied preoperatively and at 3rd, 7th, 21st, 90th and 180th days after surgery and compared with normative data. S100β was evaluated before and 12 hours after induction of anesthesia. Linear regression with inference based on the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method was applied, followed by the post-hoc Bonferroni test considering P<0.05 as significant. Results: On the 3rd postoperative day, POCD was diagnosed in 25.2% of patients receiving dexamethasone plus deep anesthesia, 15.3% of the dexamethasone plus superficial anesthesia group, 68.2% of the deep anesthesia group and 27.2% of the superficial anesthesia group (p<0.0001). Neuropsychological tests showed that dexamethasone plus superficial anesthesia decreased the incidence of POCD, especially memory, attention and executive function. The administration of dexamethasone prevented the postoperative increase in S100β serum levels (p<0.002). Conclusion: Dexamethasone can minimize the incidence of POCD in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, especially when associated with superficial anesthesia. The effect of dexamethasone on S100β levels might be related with some degree of neuroprotection.