• DOI:10.1532/HSF98.20111166
• Corpus ID: 18780477

Can we identify risk factors for postoperative delirium in cardiac coronary patients? Our experience.

@article{Nikoli2012CanWI,
  title={Can we identify risk factors for postoperative delirium in cardiac coronary patients? Our experience.},
  author={Bojan D Nikoli{\'c} and Svetozar Putnik and Dejan Lazovic and Mile D Vranes},
  journal={The heart surgery forum},
  year={2012},
  volume={15 4},
  pages={
          E195-9
        }
}

• B. Nikolić, S. Putnik, +1 author M. Vranes
• Published 23 August 2012
• Medicine
• The heart surgery forum

INTRODUCTION
Delirium is a temporary mental disorder that frequently occurs among elderly hospitalized patients. Patients who undergo cardiac operations have an increased risk of postoperative delirium, which is associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates, a prolonged hospital stay, and reduced cognitive and functional recovery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
In our prospective study, we included 370 consecutive adult patients who underwent on-pump coronary artery surgery between January 1, 2011, and July 1, 2011. We selected 21 potential risk factors and divided them into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative groups. Delirium was diagnosed with the Confusion Assessment Method.

RESULTS
Postoperative delirium was diagnosed in 74 patients (20%). Four predictive factors were associated with postoperative delirium: diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and prolonged intubation (P < .05).

CONCLUSION
Three of the four predictive factors significantly associated with delirium are preoperative. They are relatively easy to measure and can be used to identify patients at higher risk. Fast extubation of these patients and preventive interventions can be taken to prevent negative consequences of this postoperative complication.