Abstract
BackgroundPostoperative delirium (POD) among the elderly population that undergoes noncardiac surgery is significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dexmedetomidine for the prophylaxis of POD among the elderly population after noncardiac surgery.MethodsWe searched Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from inception date to March 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared dexmedetomidine and placebo for the prevention of POD and evaluated the major cardiovascular outcomes among elderly people after noncardiac surgery. Two authors independently screened the studies and extracted data from the published articles. The main outcome was the incidence of POD. The secondary outcomes included the occurrence of bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, hypoxaemia, and all-cause mortality.ResultsA total of 6 RCTs with 2102 participants were included. Compared with placebo, dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the prevalence of POD (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.34–0.76, P = 0.001, I2 = 66%), and the risk of tachycardia (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30–0.76, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%), hypertension (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.44–0.79, P < 0.001, I2 = 20%), stroke (RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.76, P = 0.02, I2 = 0%), and hypoxaemia (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.32–0.78, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%) in elderly patients who underwent noncardiac surgery. However, dexmedetomidine accelerated the occurrence of bradycardia (RR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.11–1.67, P = 0.003, I2 = 0%). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the incidence of hypotension, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality between the dexmedetomidine and placebo groups.ConclusionsAmong elderly patients after noncardiac surgery, the prophylactic use of dexmedetomidine, compared with the use of placebo, was related to a decline in the incidence of POD.
Highlights
Delirium is usually characterized as a multifactorial syndrome of acute attention and cognitive disorders; delirium is a common, serious, underrecognized, and even lethal condition, especially for geriatric patients [1]
The secondary outcomes included the occurrence of bradycardia, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, hypoxaemia, and all-cause mortality
Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the prevalence of Postoperative delirium (POD) (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.34–0.76, P = 0.001, I2 = 66%), and the risk of tachycardia (RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30–0.76, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%), hypertension (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.44–0.79, P < 0.001, I2 = 20%), stroke (RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.76, P = 0.02, I2 = 0%), and hypoxaemia (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.32–0.78, P = 0.002, I2 = 0%) in elderly patients who underwent noncardiac surgery
Summary
Delirium is usually characterized as a multifactorial syndrome of acute attention and cognitive disorders; delirium is a common, serious, underrecognized, and even lethal condition, especially for geriatric patients [1]. The prevalence of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients after noncardiac surgery is approximately 13% to 50% [1]. To decrease the incidence and adverse outcomes associated with delirium, multicomponent nonpharmacologic approaches that help control multiple risk factors of delirium are recommended [7, 8]. Postoperative delirium (POD) among the elderly population that undergoes noncardiac surgery is significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We conducted this metaanalysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dexmedetomidine for the prophylaxis of POD among the elderly population after noncardiac surgery
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