Monitoring anesthesia, oxygen levels reduces postop delirium in elderly

Editor's Note

Elderly cardiac surgery patients are at increased risk of developing delirium and other changes in cognitive function postoperatively.

However, research presented at the Anesthesiology 2015 annual meeting, found using monitors to track depth of anesthesia and oxygenation levels significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium and associated cognitive decline.

Postoperative delirium may result in longer hospital stays, higher 6-month and 1-year mortality rates, and increased costs. 

SAN DIEGO - Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at an increased risk of developing delirium and other changes in cognitive function in the days following surgery. However, new research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2015 annual meeting, found using monitors to track depth of anesthesia and oxygenation levels in older patients' brains during cardiac surgery significantly reduced their incidence of postoperative delirium and associated cognitive decline.