MicroRNAs as Clinical Biomarkers and Therapeutic Tools in Perioperative Medicine

Over the past decade, evolutionarily conserved, noncoding small RNAs-so-called microRNAs (miRNAs)-have emerged as important regulators of virtually all cellular processes. miRNAs influence gene expression by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of protein-coding RNA, leading to its degradation and translational repression. In medicine, miRNAs have been revealed as novel, highly promising biomarkers and as attractive tools and targets for novel therapeutic approaches. miRNAs are currently entering the field of perioperative medicine, and they may open up new perspectives in anesthesia, critical care, and pain medicine. In this review, we provide an overview of the biology of miRNAs and their potential role in human disease. We highlight current paradigms of miRNA-mediated effects in perioperative medicine and provide a survey of miRNA biomarkers in the field known so far. Finally, we provide a perspective on miRNA-based therapeutic opportunities and perspectives. (Anesth Analg 2018;126: 670-81

Impairment of cognitive function in different domains early after lung transplantation

In this prospective observational pilot study patients with the diagnosis of end-stage lung disease and listed for lung transplantation underwent a cognitive function test battery before and after lung transplantation to investigate postoperative cognitive function in three domains (visual and verbal memory, executive functioning, concentration/speed of processing). Additionally we investigated intraoperative risk factors for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. In total, 24 patients were included in this pilot study. The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction was 58.3%. In the cognitive dysfunction group, the domains executive functioning and concentration/attention were significantly impaired whereas memory was not affected. Patients with cognitive impairment had a significantly longer ICU stay. The strongest independent risk factor for the development of cognitive dysfunction was operation time. No influence of cerebral oxygen desaturations on cognitive dysfunction was found. This might have important implications for early psychological rehabilitation strategies in this high-risk patient collective