Dexmedetomidine in Reducing Postoperative Delirium in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Summary

Delirium is a common consequence of cardiac surgery and associates with poor outcomes. Multiple causes can trigger delirium occurence, and it has been hypothesised that sleep disturbances can be one of them. Dexmedetomidine may be effective in reducing delirium. The aim of this study was to demonstrate preoperative dexmedetomidine nasal spray in cardiac surgery patients can reduce postoperative delirium by improving preoperative sleep.

Timeline

Start

2025-03-03

Primary completion

2026-10-31

Completion

2027-03-30

Publications

• Background Wu M, Liang Y, Dai Z, Wang S. Perioperative dexmedetomidine reduces delirium after cardiac surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Anesth. 2018 Nov;50:33-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2018.06.045. Epub 2018 Jun 27.
• Background Turan A, Duncan A, Leung S, Karimi N, Fang J, Mao G, Hargrave J, Gillinov M, Trombetta C, Ayad S, Hassan M, Feider A, Howard-Quijano K, Ruetzler K, Sessler DI; DECADE Study Group. Dexmedetomidine for reduction of atrial fibrillation and delirium after cardiac surgery (DECADE): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2020 Jul 18;396(10245):177-185. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30631-0.
• Zhang Z, Yang X, Qin Y, Gao B, Wang Y, Ji J, Gao J, Huang M, Wang L, Zheng Z, Lei C. Intranasal dexmedetomidine in reducing postoperative delirium among cardiac surgery patients by improving sleep quality in China (DREAMS): study protocol for a single-centre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2026 Apr 21;16(4):e110057. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-110057.

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