Randomized Comparison Between Oxygenator Systems for the Reduction of Post-operative Delirium in Older Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Age is no longer an absolute contraindication to cardiac surgery therefore there is often need for combined interventions (double valve repair/replacement, or coronary artery bypass graft and valve repair/replacement) with relative prolongation of cardiopulmonary bypass time. Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass use causes an increase in the inflammatory response, and on the other a need for blood reinfusion and therefore lipid microemboli from the operative field. The clinical consequences for patients are post-operative delirium and post-operative cognitive impairment.

These two neurological complications involve up to 45% of elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery and have a significant impact on quality of life, hospitalization and mortality in the short and long term. The Remowell 2 oxygenator system has demonstrated in preliminary studies that, compared to the gold standard Inspire oxygenator, it can guarantee a significant reduction of hemodilution, inflammatory systemic response and embolization of lipid microemboli and leukocytes. In light of these considerations, it is possible to formulate the hypothesis that the use of the Remowell 2 device can contribute to significantly reducing the onset of post-operative delirium and cognitive impairment. The present study is designed to validate this hypothesis in a randomized controlled scenario.