Ongoing Clinical Trials for Postoperative Delirium
There is currently 1 ongoing clinical trial investigating postoperative delirium, a temporary state of confusion that can occur after surgery, particularly in elderly patients. This trial is examining how different types of anesthesia medications may affect the risk of developing this condition following major abdominal surgery.
Clinical trial locations
Study on Desflurane, Sevoflurane, and Propofol for Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery
This clinical trial is comparing three different anesthesia medications to understand which one may be better at reducing the risk of confusion after surgery in older adults. The study is taking place in Austria and focuses on patients aged 65 and older who are scheduled for major non-cardiac surgery.
Main inclusion criteria:
- You must be at least 65 years old
- You need to provide written informed consent, meaning you understand and agree to participate in the study
- You must be scheduled for a planned major surgery that does not involve the heart
- Your surgery is expected to last at least 2 hours
Main exclusion criteria:
- You have a history of delirium or sudden confusion in the past
- You are unable to give consent to participate
- You belong to a vulnerable population group
- You are unable to follow the study procedures
- You have a medical condition that doctors believe would make it unsafe for you to participate
Focus and goal of the trial:
The main purpose of this study is to compare how three different anesthesia medications affect the likelihood of experiencing confusion within the first five days after surgery. The trial is designed as a double-blinded study, which means neither you nor the researchers will know which medication you receive during your surgery. This helps ensure the results are unbiased and reliable.
During the trial, you will be randomly assigned to receive one of the three anesthesia medications. After your surgery, researchers will carefully monitor you for signs of postoperative delirium, which is a temporary state of confusion that includes symptoms like disorientation, difficulty focusing, and changes in awareness. They will also observe you for other important outcomes, such as changes in memory or thinking skills, nausea and vomiting, and whether you need additional oxygen support.
Your recovery will be tracked closely, including how long you stay in the intensive care unit and how many days you spend at home within the first month after surgery. The information gathered from this study could help doctors make better decisions about which anesthesia to use for older patients undergoing major surgeries in the future.
Investigational drugs being tested:
The trial is comparing three medications used to keep patients asleep during surgery:
Desflurane is an inhaled anesthetic gas that you breathe in through a mask or breathing tube. It works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain to suppress nerve activity and keep you unconscious during surgery.
Sevoflurane is another inhaled anesthetic gas similar to desflurane. It is also breathed in and works in a similar way to induce anesthesia by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters that slow down nerve activity.
Propofol is different from the other two medications because it is given through an injection into a vein rather than inhaled. It also works by enhancing inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain to produce sedation and anesthesia. Propofol is known for its rapid onset and short duration of action.
All three medications are already well-established and widely used in medical practice for maintaining general anesthesia during surgeries. This study aims to determine if one medication may be better than the others at reducing the risk of postoperative delirium in elderly patients.
Summary
Currently, there is one ongoing clinical trial focused on postoperative delirium, conducted in Austria. This study specifically targets elderly patients aged 65 and older who are undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. The trial is notable for its comparative approach, examining three commonly used anesthesia medications: desflurane, sevoflurane, and propofol. By comparing these medications in a double-blinded, randomized design, the study aims to provide valuable evidence about which anesthesia option may be associated with a lower risk of postoperative confusion in this vulnerable patient population. The findings could have important implications for improving surgical care and outcomes for older adults undergoing major surgical procedures.
