Decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels may predict early perioperative neurocognitive disorder in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: A prospective observational pilot study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic value of the change in intraoperative BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on early perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND).

DESIGN

Prospective observational pilot study.

SETTING

The study was performed in the Medical Faculty Hospital, from January 2020 to August 2020.

PATIENTS

45 adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) with CPB.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Cognitive function was evaluated 1 day before and 4 days after the surgery. Serum BDNF levels were measured at four time points (T1: after induction; T2: with aortic cross-clamp; T3: without aortic cross-clamp; T4: 4 days after surgery) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

MAIN RESULTS

The incidence of PND was 37.8% four days after surgery. Serum BDNF (T2 and T4) levels were significantly lower in PND group compared to non- PND group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.016, respectively). Moreover, lactate, rSO (regional cerebral oxygen saturation), aortic cross-clamp time, CPB duration, and the amount of blood transfusion differed between the groups. Logistic regression analysis identified serum BDNF-T2, age, cross-clamp time, and rSO-T2 as independent risk factors for PND. Based on the ROC analysis, the area under curve (AUC) of BDNF-T2 concentration for prediction of PND was 0.759 with sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 64.7% (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative BDNF serum levels may be a useful biomarker in predicting PND in patients undergoing CABG surgery. More comprehensive studies is needed in order to confirm the effect of decreasing intraoperative BDNF serum levels on the development of PND.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04250935 www.clinicaltrials.gov.