About this study This is a single-center prospective observational cohort study involving older adults undergoing hip surgery. The investigators will collect clinical and ultrasound-related information without changing routine treatment, anaesthesia, or surgical plans. The purpose of this study is to determine whether certain bedside ultrasound measurements and blood-flow status around the time of surgery are associated with postoperative delirium and other patient outcomes. What is the aim of this study? Postoperative delirium is a state of sudden confusion that may occur after surgery in older patients. This study focuses on older patients undergoing hip orthopaedic surgery. The investigators aim to explore the relationships between peri-operative bedside ultrasound findings, hemodynamic (blood flow and circulation) status, and the occurrence of postoperative delirium. The study will focus on several ultrasound measurements, including pre-operative carotid artery plaque burden, corrected flow time of the common carotid artery (FTc), and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). The investigators will assess the associations between these measurements and postoperative delirium, and will further analyse how these factors may influence postoperative prognosis and clinical outcomes. What will happen in this study? This is an observational study. No experimental drugs or treatments will be administered to participants. Standard hospital care will not be altered because of participation in this study. Participants aged 65 years or older who are scheduled for hip orthopaedic surgery will be continuously enrolled. Information will be collected in four parts: Pre-operative assessment (before anaesthesia) Bedside ultrasound scans will be performed. The investigators will assess carotid artery plaque burden, measure corrected flow time (FTc) of the common carotid artery, and measure optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). General background information and existing medical conditions of participants will also be recorded. Intra-operative monitoring (during surgery) The investigators will document circulation-related data, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, type of anaesthesia, medicines administered, and surgical details, to evaluate changes in circulatory status during the operation. Post-operative assessment (after surgery) From postoperative day 1 to postoperative day 5, or until hospital discharge (whichever occurs first), staff members will assess participants daily for signs of postoperative delirium. Clinical outcome information will also be collected, including postoperative complications (such as pneumonia), pain scores, and length of hospital stay. Data analysis The investigators will analyse the collected data. The study will examine associations between peri-operative ultrasound and hemodynamic parameters and postoperative delirium. The investigators will evaluate whether these ultrasound measurements can help predict the risk of postoperative delirium and explore relationships between these measurements and postoperative clinical outcomes. Why is this research being conducted? By collecting objective peri-operative measurements, the investigators aim to clarify the relationships between these factors, postoperative delirium, and real-world clinical outcomes. Findings from this study may help clinicians better evaluate surgical risks for older adults undergoing hip surgery in the future.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
620
No investigational therapeutic interventions are performed in this study. This is purely observational data collection. Pre-anesthesia bedside ultrasound measurements including carotid artery plaque burden, common carotid corrected flow time (FTc), and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) are obtained for research purposes only. Intra-operative hemodynamic variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, hypotension and hypoxia events are recorded. Routine clinical care, anesthesia and surgical strategies of participants remain unchanged. No study-specific treatment is delivered.
Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hebei Province
Cangzhou, Hebei, China
Incidence of postoperative delirium
Postoperative delirium will be screened daily by trained research personnel using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). A positive CAM assessment at any time point defines postoperative delirium. This outcome will be used to assess associations between preoperative ultrasound parameters, peri-operative hemodynamic status and the risk of postoperative delirium.
Time frame: Postoperative day 1 to postoperative day 5, or prior to hospital discharge (whichever occurs first)
Carotid artery plaque burden
Pre-anesthesia bilateral carotid bedside ultrasound is performed to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque burden. Its association with postoperative delirium risk will be analyzed.
Time frame: Before anesthesia (pre-operative)
Corrected flow time of the common carotid artery (FTc)
Corrected flow time (FTc) of the common carotid artery is measured by pre-anesthesia bedside ultrasound to reflect circulatory volume and cardiovascular function, and analyzed for correlation with postoperative delirium and clinical outcomes.
Time frame: Before anesthesia (pre-operative)
Mean optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD)
Mean optic nerve sheath diameter is obtained via pre-anesthesia bedside ocular ultrasound as an indirect marker of intracranial status, to explore its relationship with postoperative delirium.
Time frame: Before anesthesia (pre-operative)
Intraoperative hypotension episodes
Intraoperative hypotension events are identified based on mean arterial pressure (MAP) recordings during anesthesia and surgery. Associations between hemodynamic fluctuations and postoperative delirium as well as clinical outcomes will be explored.
Time frame: During surgery and anesthesia
Intraoperative hypoxia episodes
Intraoperative hypoxia events are determined from continuous pulse oximetry (SpO₂) records to evaluate peri-operative oxygenation and its links with postoperative adverse events.
Time frame: During surgery and anesthesia
Maximum postoperative pain score within 24 hours
The highest pain score within 24 hours after surgery is assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), which ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst possible pain. Higher scores represent greater pain severity and a worse outcome. The relationship between postoperative pain burden and delirium and clinical outcomes will be analyzed.
Time frame: Within 24 hours after surgery
Incidence of postoperative pneumonia
Postoperative pneumonia is diagnosed according to clinical symptoms, imaging results, and medical records as a measure of postoperative complication. The incidence of postoperative pneumonia will be assessed during the postoperative period.
Time frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural"
Postoperative length of hospital stay
Duration of hospital stay after surgery will be extracted from medical records to evaluate postoperative recovery and overall clinical outcomes.
Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of first documented progression or date of death from any cause, whichever came first, assessed up to 100 months
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