Postoperative Delirium and Cognitive Dysfunction After Cardiac Surgery: The Role of Inflammation and Clinical Risk Factors

Background/Objectives: Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) are prevalent neurological complications following cardiac surgery, significantly affecting patient recovery and long-term outcomes, including increased risk of persistent cognitive impairment, functional decline, and mortality. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and risk factors for POD/POCD is crucial for improving perioperative management. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between postoperative systemic inflammation, assessed through inflammatory markers, and the occurrence of POD and POCD in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 88 patients aged 18–79 years undergoing open-heart surgery. Patients with preoperative cognitive impairment or high surgical risk (based on EuroSCORE and SOFA scores) were excluded to focus on the impact of inflammation in a relatively unselected cohort. Postoperative inflammatory responses (CRP, NLR, IL-6, IL-17A, SII, and SIRI) were measured, and patients were assessed for POD (CAM-ICU) and POCD (neuropsychological testing) during hospitalization and at 3 months follow-up. Statistical comparisons were performed between patients who developed POD/POCD and those who did not. Results: Postoperative inflammation was confirmed across the cohort, with significant increases in CRP, NLR, IL-6, SII, and SIRI. While correlational analyses between changes in individual inflammatory markers and POD/POCD were not statistically significant in the entire cohort, patients who developed POD/POCD exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-6 and NLR at 48 h postoperatively (p < 0.05). Established clinical risk factors significantly associated with POD/POCD included older age, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration, extended mechanical ventilation, vasopressor support duration, blood transfusion, renal dysfunction, and elevated postoperative creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < 0.05). Ejection fraction (EF) < 45% and atrial fibrillation (AF) were also more prevalent in the POD/POCD group. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the significant role of the postoperative inflammatory response, particularly IL-6 and NLR, in conjunction with established clinical risk factors, in the development of POD and POCD after cardiac surgery. Postoperative IL-6 and NLR levels, readily measurable and cost-effective markers, may contribute to identifying patients at higher risk. Comprehensive perioperative management strategies targeting inflammation, modifiable clinical risk factors, and organ function are crucial for mitigating POD and POCD and improving cognitive outcomes in this vulnerable population.