IntroductionThe 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 analysisThis 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 disseminationEthical 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.Trial registration numberNCT03081429.
Remifentanil versus dexmedetomidine for treatment of cardiac surgery patients with moderate to severe noninvasive ventilation intolerance (REDNIVIN): a prospective, cohort study
