British journal of anaesthesia
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Observational Study
Association of perioperative plasma concentration of neurofilament light with delirium after cardiac surgery: a nested observational study.
Neurofilament light is a blood-based biomarker of neuroaxonal injury that can provide insight into perioperative brain vulnerability and injury. Prior studies have suggested that increased baseline and postoperative concentrations of neurofilament light are associated with delirium after noncardiac surgery, but results are inconsistent. Results have not been reported in cardiac surgery patients, who are among those at highest risk for delirium. We hypothesised that perioperative blood concentrations of neurofilament light (both baseline and change from baseline to postoperative day 1) are associated with delirium after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Baseline neurofilament light concentration, but not change from baseline to postoperative day 1, was associated with delirium after cardiac surgery.