IMMPRES: Intraoperative Monitoring & Management to Reduce Stroke

The objective of this study is to prospectively evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of with blood pressure management using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring with SSEP and EEG to reduce perioperative stroke. The central hypothesis is that perioperative stroke occurs from emboli in the setting of significant hypoperfusion resulting in ischemia, which leads to infarction. The impact of the proposed research is that, if significant SSEP and EEG changes can be used to identify cerebral perfusion, then timely therapeutic interventions to effectively reduce the impact of perioperative stroke can be directed.

If the patient is eligible, interested, and provides consent, they will complete initial preoperative baseline surveys and assessments. These assessments include: Medical History, Medications, Neurological Exam, NIH stroke Scale, Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status (QVSFS), Delirium Screen, Modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, Cognitive Assessment: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Depression Scale, and Quality of Life scale. General history, risk factor profile and physical examination (H\&P) will be performed prior to entering the study. Neurological examinations, NIHSS, Modified Rankin Scale and Barthel Index will be performed by study neurologist. A Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status (revised Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status (QVSFS)), QOL assessment, Delirium and Cognitive assessment will be administered to each potentially eligible patient by a research coordinator. Subjects of child bearing age will complete a pregnancy test.

Baseline surveys and assessments will collected during a pre-operative session, either in conjunction with a pre-op clinic visit in-person prior to surgery during their surgical admission. This will allow maximum flexibility in timing, without interfering with clinical care.

Clinically collected data will be abstracted from the electronic medical record (EMR) for research purposes. We will review the patients preoperative medical records to screen patients for the use of intraoperative monitoring. This is currently a standard clinical practice. After enrollment, the subject will be randomized into the control or intervention group. Subjects will be computer randomized to condition 1:1. It will take approximately a half an hour to complete surveys and study procedures. On the day of surgery, EEG and somatosensory evoked potentials assessments will be performed preoperatively.

Procedure: The cardiac surgeons who will be performing surgery will be informed by the principal investigator. The medical management of patients before, during, and after the procedure will be continued as routine medical care in standard medical therapy group. In the intervention group, standard medical therapy with intraoperative monitoring and management protocol will be done. Our IMMP will be a) intraoperative monitoring with SSEP and EEG during surgery and continued for 4 hours after; b) management protocol will be treating patients based on a SSEP and/or EEG changes. In patients with bilateral SSEP and/or EEG changes, we will aim for a MAP target of the greater of 20% above the patient's preoperative baseline or an absolute threshold of 80 mmHg. In patients with persistent unilateral SSEP and/or EEG changes, the higher MAP target will be maintained followed by immediate post-operative evaluation for stroke.

In the control group, the patient will receive standard of care.

Post-Procedure/Pre-Discharge: Brief history and physical examination daily while patient is in hospital. Neurological examination performed by study Neurologist. Delirium screen will be performed. NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) performed by study neurologist 18 to 54 hours post procedure. MRI will be performed before discharge. The MRI will be completed at the MRI Research Center.The Cognitive Assessment: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be performed.

Follow-up: At 30 days post-op: Modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status (QVSFS), Quality of Life Assessment, and Cognitive Assessment: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will be performed.

Follow-up: At 1 year: Neurological exam, Modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, TIA/Stroke Questionnaire, Quality of Life Assessment and cognitive evaluation will be performed.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients scheduled for Cardiac surgery at UPMC
* Patients who are 18 years of age or older at screening
* Patients with the ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient who, as determined by the investigators, are noncompliant or unable to complete follow-up assessments
* Patient with history of dementia or other cognitive impairment. History of dementia will be determined by medical record review.
* Patients who, as determined by the investigators, are unable to complete the preoperative testing
* Have an implanted medical electronic device
* Have indwelling or implanted metal in their body that is not MRI-compatible
* Have claustrophobia. This will be measured by utilizing the standard screening questionnaire for MRI.
* Develop back pain when lying flat for more than 1 hour
* Pregnancy