Prevalence Of Postoperative Delirium Research Articles

Predicting postoperative delirium assessed by the Nursing Screening Delirium Scale in the recovery room for non-cardiac surgeries without craniotomy: A retrospective study using a machine learning approach.

Postoperative delirium (POD) contributes to severe outcomes such as death or development of dementia. Thus, it is desirable to identify vulnerable patients in advance during the perioperative phase. Previous studies mainly investigated risk factors for delirium during hospitalization and further used a linear logistic regression (LR) approach with time-invariant data. Studies have not investigated patients' fluctuating conditions to support POD precautions. In this single-center study, we aimed to predict POD in a recovery room setting with a non-linear machine learning (ML) technique using pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. The target variable POD was defined with the Nursing Screening Delirium Scale (Nu-DESC) ≥ 1. Feature selection was conducted based on robust univariate test statistics and L1 regularization. Non-linear multi-layer perceptron (MLP) as well as tree-based models were trained and evaluated-with the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC), the area under precision recall curve (AUPRC), and additional metrics-against LR and published models on bootstrapped testing data. The prevalence of POD was 8.2% in a sample of 73,181 surgeries performed between 2017 and 2020. Significant univariate impact factors were the preoperative ASA status (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system), the intraoperative amount of given remifentanil, and the postoperative Aldrete score. The best model used pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. The non-linear boosted trees model achieved a mean AUROC of 0.854 and a mean AUPRC of 0.418 outperforming linear LR, well as best applied and retrained baseline models. Overall, non-linear machine learning models using data from multiple perioperative time phases were superior to traditional ones in predicting POD in the recovery room. Class imbalance was seen as a main impediment for model application in clinical practice.

IJCM_101A: Prevalence of postoperative delirium in geriatric patients with hip fracture.

Background: Geriatric hip fractures are a major cause of concern globally and often a frequent reason for morbidity and mortality. Postoperative delirium (POD) is frequent but often under-diagnosed complication, especially after a major hip surgery. Some of the factors contributing to delirium are sepsis, dyselectrolytemia, elevated blood sugars, blood pressure fluctuation, constipation, and malnutrition. It very important to prevent delirium and to treat the underlying cause contributing to it. Objective: Prevalence of postoperative delirium in Geriatric patients with hip fracture and to determine various factors associated with it. Methodology: Prospective study Samples are collected from geriatric hip fracture patients admitted in a tertiary health care centre. Data regarding preoperative blood investigations, hypertension, and diabetes status, MNA (mini nutritional assessments) status, serum albumin, and serum electrolytes values were recorded. The Confusion Assessment Method tool (CAM) was used to diagnose delirium in the postoperative period. Results: 140 patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were admitted to the study. Among the one hundred and forty patients, forty-nine patients developed delirium. The incidence of delirium in the postoperative period was 35%. The percentage of patients developing delirium was directly proportional to their advancing age In these patients major risk factor associated with delirium was pain, constipation, urosepsis (fever), dyselectrolytemia, uncontrolled glycemic status and prolonged hospital stay (delayed rehabilitation) Conclusion: Delirium is a common feature in the post-operative period in the elderly patients associated with acute alteration in attention and cognitive impairment, which is responsible for the significant increase in both morbidity and mortality. Multiple factors predispose a patient to different forms of delirium. The reversible causes must be identified and treated promptly. A wider knowledge of pathophysiology and clinical awareness can help to counter the possible deleterious effects of delirium during the post-operative period.

Association of cervical atherosclerosis on Doppler ultrasonography and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing spinal surgery: a single-center, retrospective, observational study.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between cervical atherosclerosis on Doppler ultrasonography and postoperative delirium (POD) in patients undergoing spinal surgery. In this retrospective observational study using prospectively collected data, 295 consecutive patients aged > 50years underwent spine surgery at a single institution between March 2015 and February 2021. Cervical atherosclerosis was defined as the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) being ≥ 1.1mm on pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed with the prevalence of postoperative delirium as a dependent variable. Age, sex, body mass index, medical history, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), CHADS2 score (an assessment score for stroke), instrumentation, duration of surgery, blood loss, and cervical arteriosclerosis were the independent variables. Twenty-seven patients of 295 (9.2%) developed delirium postoperatively. Forty-one (13.9%) of the 295 patients had cervical atherosclerosis. Their univariate analyses showed that age (P = 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.016), cancer (P = 0.046), antiplatelet agent use (P < 0.001), ASA-PS ≥ 3 (P < 0.001), CHADS2 score (P < 0.001), cervical atherosclerosis (P = 0.008), and right CCA-IMT (P = 0.007) were significantly associated with POD. However, multivariate logistic regression analyses showed older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.109; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.035-1.188; P = 0.03) and antiplatelet agent use (OR, 3.472; 95% CI 1.221-9.870; P = 0.020) to be significantly associated with POD. There was a significant association between POD and the prevalence of cervical atherosclerosis using the univariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age and antiplatelet agent use were independently associated with POD.

Anxiety as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Delirium in Elective Spine Deformity Surgeries: A National Database Study.

IntroductionGeneralized anxiety disorder has become one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the United States. In addition, postoperative delirium has been shown to increase hospital stay, increase mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Few studies have looked at the prevalence of postoperative delirium in patients diagnosed with anxiety undergoing elective spinal deformity procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine if anxiety is a risk factor for postoperative delirium in elective spinal deformity surgeries.MethodsThe authors performed a retrospective analysis using the TriNetX Research Database. Patients diagnosed with kyphosis or lordosis who then underwent elective spinal correction surgeries were identified. This group was then separated based on the diagnosis of a generalized anxiety disorder before the operation versus no diagnosis. Propensity score adjustment, based on mental disorders and other risk factors, was then used to match cohorts on baseline demographics and characteristics. Analysis was performed on the primary outcome of postoperative delirium, with secondary outcomes of upper respiratory tract infections, surgical site infections, sepsis, ventilator dependence, convulsions, stroke, emergency department visits, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and urinary retention within 30 days after surgery.ResultsOur search included 1,211 patients with a diagnosis of anxiety and 8,055 patients without anxiety. After propensity score matching, 996 patients remained in each cohort. Statistical analysis showed significant outcomes between the matched cohorts in the anxiety group for postoperative delirium (OR 2.788; 1.587-4.899) and convulsions (OR 1.615; 1.006-2.592). All other outcomes were not significant after propensity score matching.ConclusionThese results showed generalized anxiety disorder is a risk factor for postoperative delirium and convulsions after elective spine surgery. Further research is necessary on the effects of mental health disorders on postoperative delirium and other outcomes to better understand the risks in this population.

5-HT3 receptor antagonists decrease the prevalence of postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing orthopedic lower limb surgery

BackgroundDelirium is an important postoperative complication. Recent research suggested that 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists may have clinical effect in the treatment and prevention of delirium. We investigated the association between 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and the occurrence of postoperative delirium (POD).MethodsRetrospectively, the electronic medical records were reviewed in patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent orthopedic lower limb surgery under regional anesthesia (spinal or combined spinal-epidural anesthesia) and administered intravenous 0.075 mg palonosetron or 0.3 mg ramosetron prior to the end of surgery between July 2012 and September 2015. POD incidence and anesthesia-, surgery-, and patient-related factors were evaluated. To investigate the association between 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and the occurrence of POD, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.ResultsOf the 855 patients included, 710 (83%) were administered 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. POD was confirmed in 46 (5.4%) patients. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists reduced the POD incidence by 63% (odds ratio [OR] 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15–0.94; P = 0.04). Moreover, the POD incidence decreased by 72% (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10–0.77, P = 0.01) when palonosetron was administered. Other identified risk factors for POD were emergency surgery, older age, hip surgery, lower body mass index, and intraoperative propofol sedation.Conclusion5-HT3 receptor antagonists may be related with a significantly reduced risk for POD in older patients undergoing orthopedic lower limb surgery. Notably, palonosetron was more effective for POD prevention.

Thoracic Paravertebral Block Ameliorates Postoperative Delirium in Geriatric Patients.

Thoracic surgery often causes postoperative delirium (POD) in geriatric patients. This study aimed to explore the effect of ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block (UG-TPVB) on POD in geriatric patients undergoing pulmonary resection. Total 128 patients who underwent pulmonary resection were randomly allocated to either the conventional patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) group or the UG-TPVB group (n = 64 per group). The consumption of opioid agents (propofol and remifentanil), postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pulmonary atelectasis, postoperative nausea/vomiting, and postoperative itchiness were recorded. The diagnosis of delirium was dependent on the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale. The postoperative pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were used to evaluate the postoperative neuroinflammation. The consumption of propofol and remifentanil, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pulmonary atelectasis, postoperative nausea/vomiting, and postoperative itchiness in the UG-TPVB group were lower than that in the PCA group. Compared with the PCA group, the prevalence of POD was decreased in the UG-TPVB group. In addition, use of UG-TPVB not only reduced postoperative pain (VAS score) but also decreased postoperative neuroinflammation compared with PCA in geriatric patients undergoing pulmonary resection. This study determined the benefits of UG-TPVB over PCA, providing an effectiveness approach to alleviate POD in geriatric patients undergoing pulmonary resection.

Prevalence of postoperative delirium with different combinations of intraoperative general anesthetic agents in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A retrospective propensity-score-matched study.

Postoperative delirium (PD) remains an issue in cardiac surgery despite the constant efforts to reduce its incidence. In this retrospective study, the incidence of PD was evaluated in patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) according to different primary anesthetic agents: sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine- versus propofol-based anesthesia.A total of 534 patients who underwent heart-valve surgery or coronary artery bypass graft surgery with CPB between January 2012 and August 2017 were divided into 2 groups according to the main anesthetic agent: sevoflurane with dexmedetomidine (sevo-dex group, n = 340) and propofol (propofol group, n = 194). The incidence of PD was evaluated as the primary outcome. Patient-, surgery-, and anesthesia-related factors and postoperative complications were investigated as secondary outcomes. To reduce the risk of confounding effects between the 2 groups, 194 patients were selected from the sevo-dex group after propensity-score matching.After propensity-score matching, the incidence of PD was not significantly different between the sevo-dex (6.2%) and propofol (10.8%) groups (P = .136). In comparisons of the incidence of each type of PD, only hyperactive PD occurred significantly less frequently in the sevo-dex group (P = .021). Older age, lower preoperative albumin levels, and emergency surgery were significant risk factors for PD.The overall incidence of PD after cardiac surgery with CPB did not differ between patients receiving sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine-based versus propofol-based anesthesia. Only hyperactive PD occurred less frequently in patients receiving sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine-based anesthesia.

Postoperative delirium in children in undergoing treatment of congenital septal heart defects

The objective: to establish the prevalence of postoperative delirium (POD) and the influence of various factors in intra- and postoperative periods on its occurrence in children with septal congenital defects requiring surgical interventions with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Subjects and methods: 40 children from 6 to 36 months and weighing from 7.5 to 15 kg were enrolled in the study; they underwent planned radical surgery of septal CHD with cardiopulmonary bypass. In the postoperative period, all patients were tested using the Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium validated for children of this age. Cerebral damage was also assessed using three specific serum markers: protein S-100-ß, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) before the surgery, upon bypass completion, and in 16 hours after the operation.Results. The study revealed the incidence of delirium in 22.5%. When analyzing many factors of the intra- and postoperative period, it was found that the use of donor blood components in the primary volume of CPB filling was statistically significantly more often observed in patients with established delirium: 7 (78%) and 13 (42%) (p = 0.049). Also, it was found that levels of S-100-ß, NSE, and GFAP were significantly higher in patients with confirmed POD.The study described the incidence of POD in children after surgical treatment of congenital heart disease under cardiopulmonary bypass and showed that intraoperative transfusion was a risk factor for the development of delirium. The role of markers of cerebral damage in the diagnosis of POD was also proven.

Preoperative Cognitive Impairment and the Prevalence of Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Cancer Patients-A Prospective Observational Study.

Preoperative cognitive impairment (PCI) in cancer patients includes a broad spectrum of neurocognitive changes produced by complex interplay of patient, tumoural and treatment-related factors. Reduced preoperative cognitive reserve can favour the emergence of postoperative delirium (POD). The study aims to document PCI prevalence and to assess the relationship with POD in elderly cancer patients. The prospective observational study included consecutive patients scheduled for elective surgery; PCI was assessed with Mini-Cog test and defined at a score ≤ 3, POD was screened using Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) and defined at a score ≥ 2. Data on education, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, preoperative medications, substance use, comorbidities, sensorial deficits, surgery and anaesthesia type, anaesthetic drugs, Mini-Cog score, postoperative pain, Nu-DESC were collected. In total, 131 patients were enrolled, mean age 72.1 ± 5.9 years. PCI prevalence was 51.9% (n = 68). POD prevalence was 19.8% (n = 26), with significantly higher value in PCI patients (27.9% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, Mini-Cog score ≤ 3 (OR = 2.6, p = 0.027), clock draw (OR: 2.9, p = 0.013), preoperative renal dysfunction (OR = 2.6, p = 0.012), morphine (OR = 2.7, p = 0.007), metoclopramide (OR = 6.6, p = 0.006), and high pain score (OR = 1.8, p = 0.018) had a significant association with POD development. In this sample of elderly patients, PCI had a high prevalence and predicted the emergence of POD. Incorporating Mini-Cog test into the preoperative evaluation of onco-geriatric patients seems valuable and feasible.

Association between discontinuation of benzodiazepine receptor agonists and post-operative delirium among inpatients with liaison intervention: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundSeveral studies have investigated the association between benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZDRA) use during the perioperative period and an elevated incidence of delirium. However, no study has focused on the time course of BZDRA use, including continuation, discontinuation, initiation, and no use. This study aimed to examine the influence of the time course of BZDRA use on post-operative delirium. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing medical records. We included patients who were scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia and had been referred to a liaison psychiatrist for pre-operative psychiatric assessment. The patients were classified into four groups based on the pre- and post-operative time course of oral BZDRA use, as follows: continuation, discontinuation, initiation, and no use (never used). The primary outcome was the prevalence of post-operative delirium in non-intensive care unit settings. We also performed stratified analyses according to age, the presence of cognitive impairment, the presence of delirium history, and antipsychotic drug use on admission. ResultsAmong 250 patients, 78 (31%) developed post-operative delirium. The Discontinuation group had a higher rate of delirium (49%, 24/49) than the other groups (Continuation [14%, 4/29]; Initiation [38%, 3/8], Never used [29%, 47/164], p = 0.008). ConclusionsAbrupt discontinuation of BZDRAs during the perioperative period may be a risk factor for post-operative delirium and should therefore be avoided.

Which interventions can reduce post-operative delirium in the elderly? Synthesis of multidisciplinary and pharmacological intervention data

• 80% of older individuals develop post-operative delirium (POD) following surgery. • The pathophysiology of POD is likely multifactorial and poorly understood. • Dexmedetomidine showed to reduce the incidence of POD while haloperidol had no effect on reducing POD. • 8 of the 9 non-pharmacological interventions showed significant reductions in the incidence and prevalence of POD.

Preoperative Acute Pain Is Associated with Postoperative Delirium.

Studies have provided some evidence that pain is a risk factor for postoperative delirium (POD). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between preoperative pain and POD after noncardiac surgery. POD was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and preoperative cognition was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination. Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before surgery. Preoperative pain was classified by its duration before surgery as chronic pain (lasting more than 1 month), acute pain (lasting less than 1 month), or no pain (no obvious pain). Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for confounding. From October 15, 2018, through August 12, 2019, a total of 67 patients were randomized; 7 were excluded because they were discharged before the seventh postoperative day. The prevalence of POD was significantly higher in the acute pain group (13 of 20; 65%) than in the chronic pain group (5 of 20; 25%) or the no pain group (6 of 20; 30%) (P = 0.019), indicating that delirium is associated with preoperative acute pain. The plasma level of preoperative CRP was also higher in the acute pain group than in the other two groups (mean [interquartile range]: 10.7 [3.3, 29.3] vs 1 [0.5, 3.8]mg/l; P < 0.001), suggesting that elevated preoperative plasma levels of CRP were associated with delirium. Preoperative acute pain was associated with POD, and increased plasma levels of CRP provide a marker. In addition, we found that illiteracy and advanced age were risk factors for POD.

Delirium in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

Delirium is a multifactorial syndrome and is described as an acute brain dysfunction seen commonly in post-cardiac surgery patients. The prevalence of post-operative Delirium (POD) ranges from 11.4% to 55%, depending on the diagnostic tool and type of study. Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) are the two most used and recommended tools by the Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Annual delirium-related healthcare costs in the United States (US) range from 6.6 to 20.4 billion USD in ICU patients. However, delirium in cardiac ICU (CICU) is underdiagnosed and warrants vigorous workup. The risk factors for delirium in CICU can be classified as modifiable, non-modifiable, and cardiac surgical causes. After cardiac procedures, delirium is associated with increased mortality, increased length of hospital stay, loss of functional independence, increased hospital costs, and an independent predictor of death 10 years postoperatively. Non-pharmacological measures such as avoiding delirium-risk medications, early physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and sleep improvement strategies have shown significant benefits in decreasing delirium. Pharmacological options are limited for use in CICU, and a need for future studies in this topic is in demand.

Prevalence of postoperative delirium and its risk factors in patients aged 80 years and over with hip fracture

Objective To investigate the prevalence of postoperative delirium(PD)and its risk factors in patients aged 80 and over with hip fracture treated with total hip arthroplasty(THA). Methods Clinical history and perioperative data of patients aged 80 years and over with hip fractures who underwent THA in our hospital from Sep.2017 to Mar.2019 were analyzed.Patients were divided into delirium group and non-delirium group.The prevalence of postoperative delirium of THA and its risk factors were analyzed by multiple Logistic regression. Results A total of 90 patients were eligible for inclusion for this study.Of them, 27 patients(30.0%)were diagnosed as PD and 63(70.0%)did not experience PD.Multivariate stepwise Logistic regression analysis showed that a history of stroke(OR=17.702, 95%CI: 1.514-207.034, P=0.022), preoperative lower serum albumin(OR=1.524, 95%CI: 1.132-2.051, P=0.005), Mini-Nutritional Assessment short-form score(MNA-SF)(OR=1.481, 95%CI: 1.045-2.099, P=0.027)were independent risk factors for PD. Conclusions The prevalence of postoperative delirium of THA is higher in patients aged 80 years and over with hip fractures.Prevention and correction of risk factors, such as malnutrition, may help prevent the postoperative delirium. Key words: Aged, 80 and over; Delirium; Hip fractures

Relative cerebral hyperperfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with risk for postoperative delirium: a cross-sectional cohort study

BackgroundOur objective was to evaluate if changes in on-pump cerebral blood flow, relative to the pre-bypass baseline, are associated with the risk for postoperative delirium (POD) following cardiac surgery.MethodsIn 47 consecutive adult patients, right middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (MCAV) was assessed using transcranial Doppler sonography. Individual values, measured during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), were normalized to the pre-bypass baseline value and termed MCAVrel. An MCAVrel > 100% was defined as cerebral hyperperfusion. Prevalence of POD was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit.ResultsOverall prevalence of POD was 27%. In the subgroup without POD, 32% of patients had experienced relative cerebral hyperperfusion during CPB, compared to 67% in the subgroup with POD (p < 0.05). The mean averaged MCAVrel was 90 (±21) % in the no-POD group vs. 112 (±32) % in the POD group (p < 0.05), and patients developing delirium experienced cerebral hyperperfusion during CPB for about 39 (±35) min, compared to 6 (±11) min in the group without POD (p < 0.001). In a subcohort with pre-bypass baseline MCAV (MCAVbas) below the median MCAVbas of the whole cohort, prevalence of POD was 17% when MCAVrel during CPB was kept below 100%, but increased to 53% when these patients actually experienced relative cerebral hyperperfusion.ConclusionsOur results suggest a critical role for cerebral hyperperfusion in the pathogenesis of POD following on-pump open-heart surgery, recommending a more individualized hemodynamic management, especially in the population at risk.

Effect of a single pre-operative 125 mg dose of methylprednisolone on postoperative delirium in hip fracture patients; a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Postoperative delirium is common after hip fracture surgery, and may have a neuro-inflammatory cause. We conducted a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 117 older hip fracture patients to see if a single, pre-operative intravenous dose of 125 mg methylprednisolone could reduce the severity and/or incidence of postoperative delirium, assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method delirium severity score. Modified intention-to-treat analysis found no significant difference in our primary outcome, median (IQR [range]) cumulative Confusion Assessment Method delirium severity score over the first three postoperative days between the methylprednisolone and placebo groups (1 (0-6 [0-39]) vs. 2 (0-10 [0-32]), p = 0.294). Both the prevalence of postoperative delirium (Confusion Assessment Method delirium severity score ≥ 5, 10/59 vs. 19/58, p = 0.048) and the median (IQR [range]) cumulated postoperative (by day 3) fatigue scores (5 (2-6 [0-11]) vs. 6 (4-8 [0-16]), p = 0.008) were significantly lower in the methylprednisolone compared with the placebo group. There were no significant between-group differences in the rate of completing physiotherapy, postoperative pain, the administration of antipsychotic drugs, infection, length of inpatient stay or 30- and 90-day mortality. No major adverse reactions related to methylprednisolone were recorded. We conclude that a single, pre-operative dose of 125 mg methylprednisolone does not reduce the severity of postoperative delirium, but may reduce both the prevalence of delirium and the severity of fatigue after hip fracture surgery in older patients, enabling remobilisation and recovery.

Preoperative exercise capacity is associated with the prevalence of postoperative delirium in elective cardiac surgery.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a critical complication that is closely associated with mortality and major morbidity in elective cardiac surgery. The identification of patients at risk for POD is crucial but has not been fully explored. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of the assessment of preoperative exercise capacity for POD. We enrolled 313 consecutive patients (mean age, 68.6 ± 14.8 years) undergoing elective cardiac surgery. We measured physical functions such as the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) before surgery. The assessment of delirium was conducted every 8h from the day of surgery to 5 days after surgery using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. POD occurred in 46 patients (14.6%). Age, 6MWD, TUG, serum hemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and length of intensive care unit stay were significantly different based on the presence or absence of POD (p < 0.05 for each). After multivariate analysis, 6MWD remained a statistically significant indicator for developing POD (OR 0.98; p = 0.02). The cut-off value of 6MWD for predicting POD was 345m (AUC = 0.75; p = 0.001). Poor exercise capacity was found to be an independent predictor of POD following elective cardiac surgery. This finding suggests the importance of preoperative functional evaluation in the prevention and management of POD in cardiac surgery patients.

Poor Exercise Capacity is Associated with the Prevalence of Postoperative Delirium in Elective Cardiac Surgery

Poor Exercise Capacity is Associated with the Prevalence of Postoperative Delirium in Elective Cardiac Surgery

Minimizing perioperative sedation to reduce delirium

Evaluation of: Sieber FE, Zakriya KJ, Gottschalk A et al.: Sedation depth during spinal anesthesia and the development of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture repair. Mayo Clin. Proc. 85(1), 18–26 (2010). The aim of this study was to determine whether limiting the depth of intraoperative sedation during spinal anesthesia for hip fracture repair in the elderly decreased the prevalence of postoperative delirium. Enrolled patients were assessed for delirium using the valid Confusion Assessment Method. The authors demonstrated that patients (mean age: 81 years) maintained with light levels of sedation (Bispectral Index levels &gt;80) during their spinal anesthetic showed a 50% reduction in delirium rates as compared with those who underwent the procedure with targeted deeper levels of sedation (propofol to achieve Bispectral Index &lt;50). This study points to the importance of minimizing exposure to sedative agents in reducing delirium. However, further studies with larger patient populations are required in order to ascertain whether this relationship exists for other sedative agents, persists even if patients are maintained with moderate levels of sedation, and if sedatives predispose patients to long-term cognitive impairment.

Usefulness of the Short IQCODE for Predicting Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

Background/Objective: The prevalence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients is >30%. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the usefulness of the short form of the Informant Questionnaire on COgnitive Decline in the Elderly (short IQCODE) to predict the occurrence of postoperative delirium after elective hip and knee arthroplasty in the elderly. Methods: Consecutive patients, 60 years and older, who were admitted for elective hip or knee arthroplasty were included. The preoperative cognitive status was determined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the short IQCODE. Postoperative delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method. Logistic regression was used to analyze the links between the preoperative test scores and the outcome of postoperative delirium. Results: One hundred and one patients completed the study (mean age 73.6 ± 6.6 years). The mean ± SD MMSE score was 26 ± 3, and the mean short IQCODE score was 50.7 ± 6.2. Postoperative delirium developed in 15 patients (14.8%). A short IQCODE score >50 was significantly associated with postoperative delirium (OR 12.7, 95% CI 1.4–115.5; p = 0.02). Conclusions: The short IQCODE appears to be a useful tool to predict the risk of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery. Detecting this complication could be of great interest to improve the postoperative survey of elderly patients.