BMJ OPEN | JANUARY 06, 2020

Cui Q, Wang D, Zeng M, Dong J, Jin H, Hu Z, Zhang Y, Peng Y and Han R.

BMJ Open. 2020;10:e034657.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034657

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The incidence of covert stroke and cognitive dysfunction has gradually increased due to an ageing population. Recently, a prospective cohort study reported perioperative covert stroke was associated with an increased risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) 1 year after non-cardiac surgery. However, the mechanism remains unclear.

Methods and analysis: This is a prospective observational trial aiming to investigate the cumulative incidence of perioperative covert stroke and test the hypothesis that perioperative covert stroke associates with POCD in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac and non-neurological surgery. Data on risk factors, brain MRI, cognitive function evaluation and serum immune-inflammatory cytokines will be collected and analysed.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been granted by the Medical Ethics Committee of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University (reference number: KY2017-027-02). The results of this study will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and publication in scientific journals.