Monitoring brain activity to understand delirium after heart surgery

Perioperative EEG-Monitoring and Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery: a Prospective Observational Study

Observational Huazhong University of Science and Technology · NCT04832568

This study tests how monitoring brain activity can help us understand and predict delirium in patients with normal thinking skills after heart surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHuazhong University of Science and Technology Academic / other
Locations1 site (Wuhan, Hubei)
Trial IDNCT04832568 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the occurrence of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery by utilizing multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. It aims to identify the mechanisms and predictors of delirium through the analysis of neurophysiological states during anesthesia and recovery. By assessing patients' brain activity, the study seeks to enhance understanding of how delirium develops in this population. The research focuses on patients with normal cognitive function who are fluent in Chinese Mandarin.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with normal cognitive function and who speak Chinese Mandarin.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing delirium or significant neurological or psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved strategies for preventing and managing postoperative delirium in cardiovascular surgery patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using EEG to study delirium is recognized, the specific application in cardiovascular surgery is less explored, indicating a novel aspect of this research.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. age of at least 18 years
2. normal cognitive function at the time of enrollment evidenced by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of more than 24 of 30
3. Chinese Mandarin as the native language
4. providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. pre-existing delirium assessed according to the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
2. history of neurological or psychiatric disease
3. impaired vision or auditory function which may effect the assessments
4. unwillingness to participate in the study

Where this trial is running

Wuhan, Hubei

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Delirium
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.