Preop walking test helps predict postop cognitive dysfunction

Editor's Note

A simple 6-minute walking test before cardiac surgery helped predict the risk for cognitive issues after surgery, in this study from Japan.

A 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test was performed preoperatively on 181 patients who had nonemergency cardiac surgery. After surgery, 51 patients had postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

 The POCD patients had a significantly lower 6MWD (median, 400 m) than the non-POCD patients (median, 450 m).

The ability to identify patients who are at risk for POCD allows the healthcare team to provide early treatment and encourage patients to better understand the dysfunction, the researchers say.