The Predictive Role of QEEG in the Post-Operative Delirium and Prognosis of Cardiac Surgery Patients

Abstract Objective To determine whether qEEG has the capable of predicting the onset of post-operative delirium (POD) and prognosis of cardiac surgery patients. Methods We prospectively studied a cohort of cardiac surgery patients undergoing EEG for evaluation of altered mental status. Patients were assessed for delirium with the CAM-ICU or CAM. EEG were interpreted clinically by clinician, and reports were reviewed to identify features such as aEEG，alpha，beta，theta or delta relative band energy, alpha variability and spectral entropy. Generalized linear models were used to quantify associations among EEG findings, delirium, and clinical outcomes, including length of stay and mortality. Results 60 patients were evaluated and 29 (48.33%) met delirium criteria. The EEG finding most strongly associated with delirium presence was aEEG, whether the peak value or valley value less than lower quartile or greater than upper quartile. Conclusions The peak or valley value of aEEG in F3-P3/F4-P4 derivation is a good predictor of post-operative delirium in cardiac surgery patients.Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier, NCT03351985. Registered 1 December 201