Exploring the Role of Anaesthetic Depth in Cognitive Decline among Elderly Surgical Patients

Postoperative cognitive decline is a serious issue amongst elderly surgical patients. This study evaluated the effect of anaesthetic depth on cognitive outcomes in 100 patients aged 65 and older undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery. Patients were monitored using bispectral index (BIS) and classified after surgery into Deep Anaesthesia (< 40) and Light-to-Moderate Anaesthesia (40-60). Cognitive function was evaluated with the MMSE and MoCA at three time points: preoperatively (T1), postoperative day 7 (T2), and postoperative day 30 (T3). There was no significant difference at baseline, but repeated measures ANOVA finds a significant decline in cognitive scores over time. The Deep Anaesthesia group had greater decline, which was confirmed by t-tests and regression analysis. Anaesthetic depth was significantly associated with cognitive decline in this observational cohort, and these findings support further research into depth monitoring to potentially mitigate postoperative cognitive decline risk in the elderly.

Anaesthetic depth, postoperative cognitive decline, elderly patients, BIS monitoring, MMSE, MoCA, general anaesthesia.

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