On May 8^th, Annals of Surgery, the world-known “Bible” in the field of surgery, published a clinical research paper by Professor WANG Dongxin (corresponding author)’s research team of Peking University First Hospital. The study shows that, for the elderly patients in ICU after non-cardiac surgery, Dexmedetomidine can’t change their 3-year survival rate, but it can increase their 2-year survival rate and can also improve the cognitive function and quality of life for the 3-year surviving patients after surgery.

　　The effect of surgical anesthesia on brain function has long been a concern for doctors and patients and postoperative cognitive function has gradually become one of the focuses of perioperative medical attention. Professor WANG Dongxin's team followed up for 3 years 700 elderly patients who had been admitted to ICU after non-cardiac surgery and had been subjects of the previous randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. The study shows that continuous infusion of low-dose Dexmedetomidine on the night of the non-cardiac surgery can not only reduce postoperative incidence of delirium, but also improve the long-term prognosis in the elderly: the 2-year survival rate after surgery is increased, and the cognitive function and quality of life of the 3-year surviving patients after surgery are improved.

　　Written by: WU Zhaoxia

　　Edited by:Liu Xin

　　Source: Peking University First Hospital