Nitric oxide index is not a predictor of cognitive dysfunction following laparotomy

Twomey, Ciaran; Corrigan, Mark; Burlacu, Crina; Butler, Mark; Iohom, Gabriella; Shorten, George

doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2009.02.011

« Previous Next »Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
Volume 22, Issue 1 , Pages 22-28, February 2010

Nitric oxide index is not a predictor of cognitive dysfunction following laparotomy

Ciaran Twomey, FCARCSI (Lecturer)
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Ireland
- Corresponding author. Department of Anesthesia, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3, Canada. Tel.: +1 780 407 8861; fax: +1 780 407 3200.
Mark Corrigan, MRCSI (Specialist Registrar)
- Department of Surgery, Cork University Hospital and University College, Cork, Ireland
Crina Burlacu, FCARCSI (Specialist Registrar)
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Ireland
Mark Butler, MSc (Senior Biochemist)
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Ireland
Gabriella Iohom, PhD (Specialist Registrar)
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Ireland
George Shorten, MD, PhD, FCARCSI (Professor)
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Ireland

Received 24 January 2008; received in revised form 5 February 2009; accepted 11 February 2009.

Abstract

Study Objective

To determine the associations between postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and plasma concentrations of stable nitric oxide products [nitric oxide index (NOi)].

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Academic hospital.

Patients

28 ASA physical status I, II, and III physical status patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.

Interventions

Cognitive assessment was performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 4 days (early) and 6 weeks (late).

Measurements

Serial measurements of plasma NOi were recorded.

Main Results

Early POCD with a deficit in one cognitive domain was present in 18 patients (64%), and in 8 patients (28%) with deficits in two or more cognitive domains. Late POCD was evident in three patients (20%) who had a deficit in one domain. Eight patients were lost to late follow-up. There was no difference in baseline or subsequent serum concentrations of NOi between those who showed early and late POCD and those who showed no POCD.