Understanding brain blood flow and its effects on recovery after heart surgery

Cerebral Autoregulation in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit: Associations with Postoperative Delirium, Cognitive Change, and Biomarkers of Brain Injury

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-10883892

This study is looking at how blood flow to the brain after heart surgery can affect your thinking and memory, and it aims to find the best ways to manage your blood pressure during recovery to help prevent problems like confusion and memory loss.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-10883892 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how changes in blood flow to the brain during the recovery period after heart surgery can lead to complications such as delirium and cognitive decline. By monitoring cerebral autoregulation, the study aims to personalize blood pressure management for patients in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit. The goal is to identify specific blood flow patterns that may contribute to these postoperative complications, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Patients will be closely monitored for signs of cognitive changes and brain injury biomarkers during their recovery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing cardiac surgery who are at risk for postoperative delirium and cognitive changes.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing cardiac surgery or those with pre-existing severe cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved management strategies that reduce the risk of delirium and cognitive decline in patients recovering from heart surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that personalized blood pressure management can improve outcomes in similar patient populations, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injuryacute kidney injuryAlzheimer's disease and related dementiaAlzheimer's disease and related disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.