Perioperative covert stroke in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery (NeuroVISION): a prospective cohort study
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In non-surgical settings, covert stroke is more common than overt stroke and is associated with cognitive decline. Although overt stroke occurs in less than 1% of adults after non-cardiac surgery and is associated with substantial morbidity, we know little about perioperative covert stroke. Therefore, our primary aim was to investigate the relationship between perioperative covert stroke (ie, an acute brain infarct detected on an MRI after non-cardiac surgery in a patient with no clinical stroke symptoms) and cognitive decline 1 year after surgery.
METHODS
NeuroVISION was a prospective cohort study done in 12 academic centres in nine countries, in which we assessed patients aged 65 years or older who underwent inpatient, elective, non-cardiac surgery and had brain MRI after surgery. Two independent neuroradiology experts, masked to clinical data, assessed each MRI for acute brain infarction. Using multivariable regression, we explored the association between covert stroke and the primary outcome of cognitive decline, defined as a decrease of 2 points or more on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment from preoperative baseline to 1-year follow-up. Patients, health-care providers, and outcome adjudicators were masked to MRI results.
FINDINGS
Between March 24, 2014, and July 21, 2017, of 1114 participants recruited to the study, 78 (7%; 95% CI 6-9) had a perioperative covert stroke. Among the patients who completed the 1-year follow-up, cognitive decline 1 year after…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 932 participants or records.
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