Intraoperative neuromonitoring as an independent predictor for postoperative delirium in ICU following aneurysm clipping.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of significant intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) changes as an independent predictor of postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing aneurysm clipping.

METHODS

IONM and clinical data from 273 patients who underwent craniotomy for aneurysm clipping from 2019 until 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Significant IONM changes and POD were respectively evaluated based on visual review of data and clinical documentation. POD was assessed multiple times in the ICU using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC).

RESULTS

Of the 273 patients undergoing craniotomy with IONM, 83 had POD (30.4 %). Significant IONM changes were noted in 42 patients, of which 19 patients had POD (45.2 %). In contrast, 231 patients had no IONM changes during surgery, of which 64 (27.7 %) patients had POD. Multivariable analysis showed that significant IONM changes were associated with POD, OR: 2.09 (95 % CI 1.01-4.43, p-value: 0.046). Additionally, somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) changes were significantly associated with POD (p-value: 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Significant IONM changes are associated with an increased risk of POD in patients undergoing craniotomy for aneurysm clipping. Our findings offer a strong basis for future research and analysis of EEG and SSEP monitoring to detect and possibly prevent POD.