Predictors of Cognitive Dysfunction after Major Noncardiac Surgery

Abstract

Cognitive dysfunction is common in adult patients of all ages at hospital discharge after major noncardiac surgery, but only the elderly (aged 60 yr or older) are at significant risk for long-term cognitive problems. Patients with POCD are at an increased risk of death in the first year after surgery.

Management of cognition as reported in Japanese historical documents and modern anesthesiology research papers

“…Most previous studies that utilized the neurological assessments used in cardiac surgery studies failed to detect any cognitive dysfunction after non-cardiac surgery. More recent studies have identified other factors associated with cognitive dysfunction, i.e., age, preoperative level of education and postoperative complications are listed as risk factors, while the effect of type of anesthesia may be minor [9,15].…”

“…Cognitive dysfunction may also be associated with increased long-term morbidity or mortality, premature withdrawal from the labor market and social welfare transfer payments [15,21].…”

Influence and Impact of Cognitive Trajectories on Outcome in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: An Observational Study

“…There is good evidence that major cardiac and non-cardiac surgical procedures may affect cognitive function [1][2][3][4][5]. The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) varies greatly with reported rates of 4% to 41% after major surgery [5][6][7].…”

“…The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) varies greatly with reported rates of 4% to 41% after major surgery [5][6][7]. Most POCD cases recover within a few weeks following surgery and anesthesia [1][2][3][4][5].…”

“…However, POCD may persist being a risk factor for long-term cognitive deterioration [4,5]. There are currently ongoing controversies on the clinical relevance of POCD and its impact on surgical outcomes [8].…”