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Postoperative delirium in the elderly.
Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2008 Nov-Dec;58(6):668-70, 665-7
Authors: Barbosa FT, da Cunha RM, Pinto AL
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative delirium is a common complication in the elderly whose pathophysiology is not well known. It seems to be related to central cholinergic activity. A literature review was undertaken to describe the etiology, diagnosis, prophylactic strategies, and treatment of postoperative delirium. CONTENTS: Probable etiologies, diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of postoperative delirium in the elderly were described. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative delirium is higher in the elderly, and prophylactic measures should be taken to reduce the mortality associated with this complication.
PMID: 19082414 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]