| Literature DB >> 19825488 |
Ramesh Ramaiah1, Arthur M Lam.
Abstract
Despite improvement in surgical techniques, anesthetic management, and intensive care, a significant number of elderly patients develop postoperative cognitive decline. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a postoperative memory or thinking impairment that has been corroborated by neuropsychological testing, for which increasing age is the leading risk factor. POCD is multifactorial in origin, but it remains unclear whether its occurrence is a result of surgery or general anesthesia. This article discusses the incidence, assessment, consequences, and prevention of POCD, as well as anesthetic strategies to improve cognitive outcome in elderly patients.Entities:
Mesh:
Year: 2009 PMID: 19825488 DOI: 10.1016/j.anclin.2009.07.011
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Anesthesiol Clin ISSN: 1932-2275