Effect of seasons on delirium in postoperative critically ill patients: a retrospective analysis

Abstract Background and objectives Postoperative delirium is common in critically ill patients and is known to have several predisposing and precipitating factors. Seasonality affects cognitive function which has a more dysfunctional pattern during winter. We, therefore, aimed to test whether seasonal variation is associated with the occurrence of delirium and hospital Length Of Stay (LOS) in critically ill non-cardiac surgical populations. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery at the Cleveland Clinic between March 2013 and March 2018 who stayed in Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) for at least 48 hours and had daily Confusion Assessment Method Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) assessments for delirium. The incidence of delirium and LOS were summarized by season and compared using chi-square test and non-parametric tests, respectively. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between delirium and LOS with seasons, adjusted for potential confounding variables. Results Among 2300 patients admitted to SICU after non-cardiac surgeries, 1267 (55%) had postoperative delirium. The incidence of delirium was 55% in spring, 54% in summer, 55% in fall and 57% in winter, which was not significantly different over the four seasons (p= 0.69). The median LOS was 12 days (IQR = [8, 19]) overall. There was a significant difference in LOS across the four seasons (p= 0.018). LOS during summer was 12% longer (95% CI: 1.04, 1.21; p= 0.002) than in winter. Conclusions In adult non-cardiac critically ill surgical patients, the incidence of postoperative delirium is not associated with season. Noticeably, LOS was longer in summer than in winter.

Incidence and risk factors of delirium in post-anaesthesia care unit

INTRODUCTION@#Post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) delirium is a potentially preventable condition that results in a significant long-term effect. In a multicentre prospective cohort study, we investigate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.@*METHODS@#Patients were consented and recruited from 4 major hospitals in Singapore. Research ethics approval was obtained. Patients older than 65 years undergoing non-cardiac surgery >2 hours were recruited. Baseline perioperative data were collected. Preoperative baseline cognition was obtained. Patients were assessed in the post-anaesthesia care unit for delirium 30-60 minutes after arrival using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC).@*RESULTS@#Ninety-eight patients completed the study. Eleven patients (11.2%) had postoperative delirium. Patients who had PACU delirium were older (74.6±3.2 versus 70.6±4.4 years, P=0.005). Univariate analysis showed those who had PACU delirium are more likely to be ASA 3 (63.6% vs 31.0%, P=0.019), had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of >60mL/min/1.73m2 (36.4% vs 10.6%, P=0.013), higher HbA1C value (7.8±1.2 vs 6.6±0.9, P=0.011), raised random blood glucose (10.0±5.0mmol/L vs 6.5±2.4mmol/L, P=0.0066), and moderate-severe depression (18.2% vs 1.1%, P=0.033). They are more likely to stay longer in hospital (median 8 days [range 4-18] vs 4 days [range 2-8], P=0.049). Raised random blood glucose is independently associated with increased PACU delirium on multivariate analysis.

Delirium in older adults / Delirium em idosos

This narrative review provides a broad examination of the most current concepts on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delirium, an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by fluctuating changes in cognition and consciousness. With the interaction of underlying vulnerability and severity of acute insults, delirium can occur at any age but is particularly frequent in hospitalized older adults. Delirium is also associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including functional impairment, cognitive decline, increased healthcare costs, and death. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and cognitive assessments, preferably following systematized detection instruments, such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium and its consequences are most effectively fought using multicomponent preventive interventions, like those proposed by the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). When prevention fails, delirium management is primarily based on the identification and reversal of precipitating factors and the non-pharmacological control of delirium symptoms. Pharmacological interventions in delirium should be restricted to cases of dangerous agitation or severe psychotic symptoms.

Esta revisão narrativa examina de maneira abrangente os conceitos mais atuais sobre etiopatogenia, diagnóstico, prevenção e tratamento do delirium, uma síndrome neuropsiquiátrica aguda caracterizada por mudanças flutuantes na cognição e na consciência. Com a interação entre a vulnerabilidade subjacente e a gravidade dos insultos agudos, delirium pode ocorrer em qualquer idade, mas afeta com notória frequência idosos hospitalizados. Delirium também está associado a diversos desfechos adversos, incluindo prejuízo funcional, declínio cognitivo, aumento dos custos de saúde e morte. O diagnóstico é baseado em avaliações clínicas e cognitivas, com preferência para o uso de instrumentos de detecção sistematizados, como o Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium e suas consequências são combatidos de forma mais eficaz por meio de intervenções preventivas com múltiplos componentes, como as propostas pelo Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). Quando há falha na prevenção, o manejo do delirium se baseia principalmente na identificação e na reversão dos fatores precipitantes e no controle não farmacológico dos sintomas do delirium. As intervenções farmacológicas no delirium devem ser restritas aos casos de agitação perigosa ou sintomas psicóticos graves.

Delirium: prevalência e fatores associados ao pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular em idosos / Delirium: prevalencia y factores asociados con el período postoperatorio de la cirugía cardiovascular en los ancianos / Delirium: prevalence and factors associated with the postoperative period of cardiovascular surgery in the elderly

Objetivo identificar a prevalência de delirium em idosos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva que estejam em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardiovascular e verificar associação entre o delirium e as variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas. Método estudo transversal, analítico, realizado em um centro cardiológico do Distrito Federal, Brasília, Brasil. Foram analisados idosos internados entre junho e outubro de 2018. A triagem para delirium foi realizada utilizando o Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit. Resultados o sexo masculino teve incidência de 65% e a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (75%) foi a doença crônica mais relatada; 30% apresentaram Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio e maior tempo em circulação extracorpórea, além de terem permanecido mais tempo internados; e 30% dos delirantes evoluíram a óbito. Conclusão a prevalência encontrada foi de 40% e estava associada ao mais idoso, ao sexo masculino, ao nível significativo de escolaridade, ao uso de tabaco, à apresentação de comorbidades prévias; estes, permaneceram mais tempo internados e morreram mais quando comparados ao outro grupo.

Objetivo identificar la prevalencia del delirium en ancianos hospitalizados en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos en el periodo postoperatorio de la cirugía cardiovascular y verificar una asociación entre el delirium y las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Método transversal, estudio analítico, realizado en un centro de cardiología. Se analizaron los ancianos hospitalizados entre junio y octubre de 2018. La detección del delirium se realizó utilizando el Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit. Resultados los hombres tenían una incidencia del 65% y la hipertensión arterial sistémica (75%) fue la enfermedad crónica más notificada; El 30% tenía infarto agudo de miocardio y más tiempo en circulación extracorpórea, además de haber permanecido hospitalizado más tiempo; y el 30% de los delirantes murieron. Conclusión la prevalencia encontrada fue del 40% y se asoció con los ancianos, con el sexo masculino, con el nivel significativo de educación, con el uso del tabaco, con la presentación de comorbilidades anteriores; estos permanecieron hospitalizados más tiempo y murieron más en comparación con el otro grupo.

Objective to identify the prevalence of delirium in elderly inpatients from an Intensive Care Unit in the postoperative period of cardiovascular surgery and to verify an association between delirium and sociodemographic and clinical variables. Method cross-sectional, analytical study, carried out in a cardiology center. Elderly inpatients between June and October 2018 were analyzed. Screening for delirium was performed using the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit. Results males had an incidence of 65% and systemic arterial hypertension (75%) was the most reported chronic disease; 30% had acute myocardial infarction and longer time in cardiopulmonary bypass, in addition to having remained hospitalized longer; and 30% of the delusional ones died. Conclusion the prevalence found was 40% and was associated with the elderly, with the male sex, with the significant level of education, use of tobacco, previous comorbidities; these remained hospitalized longer and died more when compared to the other group.

Practices related to assessment of sedation, analgesia and delirium among critical care pediatricians in Brazil / Práticas relacionadas à avaliação de sedação, analgesia e delirium entre pediatras intensivistas no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective To understand the use of tools, protocols and comfort measures related to sedation/analgesia, and to screen the occurrence of delirium in pediatric intensive care units. Methods A survey with 14 questions was distributed by e-mail to Brazilian critical care pediatricians. Eight questions addressed physician and hospital demographics, and six inquired practices to assess sedation, analgesia, and delirium in pediatric intensive care units. Results Of 373 questionnaires sent, 61 were answered (16.3%). The majority of physicians were practicing in the Southeast region (57.2%). Of these, 46.5% worked at public hospitals, 28.6% of which under direct state administration. Of respondents, 57.1% used formal protocols for sedation and analgesia, and the Ramsay scale was the most frequently employed (52.5%). Delirium screening scores were not used by 48.2% of physicians. The Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium was the score most often used (23.2%). The majority (85.7%) of physicians did not practice daily sedation interruption, and only 23.2% used non-pharmacological measures for patient comfort frequently, with varied participation of parents in the process. Conclusion This study highlights the heterogeneity of practices for assessment of sedation/analgesia and lack of detection of delirium among critical care pediatricians in Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo Compreender o uso de ferramentas, protocolos e medidas de conforto relacionadas à sedação/analgesia, além de rastrear a presença de delirium em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátricas. Métodos Um inquérito com 14 questões foi distribuído, por meio de correio eletrônico, para médicos pediatras intensivistas brasileiros. Oito questões eram sobre os dados demográficos dos médicos e dos hospitais, e seis questões eram sobre as práticas na avaliação da sedação, analgesia e delirium em unidades de terapia intensiva pediátrica. Resultados Responderam ao inquérito 61 médicos dos 373 e-mails enviados (taxa de resposta de 16,3%). A maioria dos médicos era da Região Sudeste (57,2%) e 46,5% trabalhavam em hospitais públicos, sendo 28,6% sob administração direta do Estado. Dos respondedores, 57,1% utilizavam protocolos formais de sedação e analgesia, sendo a escala de Ramsay a mais utilizada (52,5%). Não utilizavam escores de rastreamento de delirium 48,2% dos médicos, e o Cornell Asssessment of Pediatric Delirium (23,2%) foi o mais utilizado. A maioria (85,7%) dos médicos não utilizou a prática da interrupção diária da sedação, e apenas 23,2% utilizavam medidas não farmacológicas para o conforto do paciente com frequência, com a participação heterogênea dos pais nesse processo. Conclusão Este estudo destaca a heterogeneidade nas práticas de avaliação da sedação/analgesia e insuficiência de rastreamento de delirium entre os intensivistas pediátricos brasileiros.

Eficacia de un plan de cuidados de enfermería específico para el paciente con delirio / Effectiveness of a Specific Nursing Care Plan for the Patient with Delirium

RESUMEN Introducción: El síndrome confusional agudo o delirio es un trastorno psiquiátrico severo frecuente en pacientes mayores ingresados, tiende a agravarse en las horas del final de la tarde y nocturnas, con un gran impacto en los cuidados nocturnos. Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia de los cuidados de enfermería específicos ante el delirio nocturno en pacientes hospitalizados. Métodos: Ensayo clínico cuasi-experimental en dos unidades de hospitalización de Medicina Interna de un hospital de alta complejidad. Se identificaron un grupo control y un grupo experimental, mediante muestreo de conveniencia. En ambos grupos, se seleccionaron pacientes con delirio, mediante la escala validada Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Se expuso al grupo experimental a plan de cuidados específico basado en bibliografía y plan de cuidados estándar al grupo control. Sobre resultados de indicadores de delirio, pre y posaplicación de planes de cuidados en ambos grupos, se realizaron pruebas de contraste (ANOVA, t-Student y Chi2-test de Fisher). Resultados: Con incidencia de 12-15 por ciento, los grupos control y experimental mostraron resultados homogéneos en el test del delirio PRE (p > 0,05). La edad, motivo de ingreso, género, y número de interrupciones durante el sueño, no mostraron repercusión sobre los resultados de delirio. Tras la aplicación de los planes de cuidados, el grupo experimental mostró reducción significativa de los índices de delirio (p < 0,05), y no se obtuvieron cambios significativos en el grupo control (p > 0,05). Conclusiones: El plan de cuidados específico a pacientes con delirio demostró ser eficaz al mejorar los indicadores del test de delirio y evitar el empeoramiento del cuadro(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Acute confusional syndrome or delirium is a severe psychiatric disorder of frequent presentation in hospitalized elderly patients. It worsens likely in the late afternoon and evening hours, with a great impact on night care. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of specific nursing care for sundown delirium in hospitalized patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental clinical trial in two hospitalization units of internal medicine of a high-complexity hospital. A control group and an experimental group were identified by convenience sampling. In both groups, patients with delirium were selected, using the validated scale Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. The experimental group was exposed to a specific care plan, considering the bibliography; and the control group was exposed to a standard care plan. Regarding the results of delirium indicators, before and after the application of the care plans in both groups, contrast tests were performed (ANOVA, t-Student and Fisher's Chi-square test). Results: With an incidence of 12-15 percent, the control and experimental groups showed homogeneous results in the delirium test PRE (p >0.05). Age, reason for admission, gender, and number of interruptions during sleep did not show repercussion on delirium results. After the application of the care plans, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in delirium rates (p < 0.05), and no significant changes were obtained in the control group (p >0.05). Conclusions: The specific care plan for patients with delirium was shown to be effective in improving the indicators of the delirium test and avoiding the worsening of the health status(AU)

Impact of hypotension and global hypoperfusion in postoperative delirium: a pilot study in older adults undergoing open colon surgery / Impacto da hipotensão e hipoperfusão global sobre o delírio pós-operatório: um estudo piloto com idosos submetidos à cirurgia aberta do cólon

Abstract Background: Post-operative delirium is a serious complication in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. It remains unclear whether peri-operative hemodynamic and perfusion variables affect the risk for postoperative delirium. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the association between perfusion and hemodynamics peri-operative with the appearance of post-operative delirium. Methods: Prospective cohort study of adults 60 years or older undergoing elective open colon surgery. Multimodal hemodynamic and perfusion variables were monitored, including central venous oxygenation (ScvO2), lactate levels, and non-invasive cerebral oxygenation (rSO2), according to a standard anesthesia protocol. Fisher's exact test or Student's t-test were used to compare patients who developed post-operative delirium with those who did not (p < 0.05). Results: We studied 28 patients, age 73 ± 7 years, 60.7% female. Two patients developed post-operative delirium (7.1%). These two patients had fewer years of education than those without delirium (p = 0.031). None of the peri-operative blood pressure variables were associated with incidence of post-operative delirium. In terms of perfusion parameters, postoperative ScvO2 was lower in the delirium than the non-delirium group, without reaching statistical significance (65 ± 10% vs. 74 ± 5%; p = 0.08), but the delta-ScvO2 (the difference between means post-operative and intra-operative) was associated with post-operative delirium (p = 0.043). Post-operative lactate and rSO2 variables were not associated with delirium. Conclusions: Our pilot study suggests an association between delta ScvO2 and post-operative delirium, and a tendency to lower post-operative ScvO2 in patients who developed delirium. Further studies are necessary to elucidate this association.

Resumo Justificativa: O delírio pós-operatório é uma complicação séria em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia abdominal de grande porte. Ainda não está claro se as variáveis hemodinâmicas e de perfusão no período perioperatório afetam o risco de delírio pós-operatório. O objetivo deste estudo piloto foi avaliar a associação entre perfusão e hemodinâmica no perioperatório com o surgimento de delírio pós-operatório. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo de coorte de adultos com 60 anos ou mais, submetidos à cirurgia eletiva aberta do cólon. As variáveis multimodais de hemodinâmica e perfusão foram monitoradas, inclusive oxigenação venosa central (ScvO2), níveis de lactato e oxigenação cerebral não invasiva (rSO2), de acordo com um protocolo-padrão de anestesia. O teste exato de Fisher ou o teste t de Student foram usados para comparar os pacientes que desenvolveram delírio pós-operatório com aqueles que não desenvolveram p < 0,05. Resultados: Avaliamos 28 pacientes, 73 ± 7 anos, 60,7% do sexo feminino. Dois pacientes desenvolveram delírio pós-operatório (7,1%). Esses dois pacientes tinham menos anos de escolaridade do que aqueles sem delírio pós-operatório (p = 0,031). Nenhuma das variáveis de pressão arterial no perioperatório foi associada à incidência de delírio. Quanto aos parâmetros de perfusão, ScvO2 foi menor no grupo que apresentou delírio pós-operatório do que no grupo que não apresentou delírio, sem atingir significância estatística (65 ± 10% vs. 74 ± 5%; p = 0,08), mas o delta-ScvO2 (a diferença entre as médias no pós-operatório e intraoperatório) foi associado ao delírio (p = 0,043). As variáveis de lactato e rSO2 no pós-operatório não foram associadas ao delírio. Conclusões: Nosso estudo piloto sugere uma associação entre delta-ScvO2 e delírio e uma tendência à diminuição da ScvO2 no pós-operatório de pacientes com delírio. Estudos adicionais são necessários para elucidar essa associação.

Optimización perioperatoria del paciente anciano con fractura osteoporótica de cadera / Perioperative care of older patients with hip fractures

The number of osteoporotic fractures is increasing along with population aging. Most patients with these type of fractures are older than 65 years, with multiple chronic conditions and different degrees of disability. Hip fracture is the most relevant osteoporotic fracture due to its frequency, costs, severity and complications. Multidisciplinary management is of the utmost importance to obtain good therapeutic results. We herein review the management of this fracture. Orthogeriatric joint management should be incorporated in fragility fracture treatment. We contribute with general recommendations for the perioperative management, which can be homologated for the management of older patients with other type of fragility fractures.

Incidence of delirium in postoperative patients treated with total knee and hip arthroplasty / Avaliação da incidência de delirium no pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos a artroplastia total de joelho e quadril

Summary Introduction: Delirium is a common disorder that can potentiate mortality and comorbidity rates of patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Patients undergoing major orthopedic surgeries, such as knee and hip arthroplasty, are particularly vulnerable as they often have multiple risk factors for this disorder. Method: Descriptive study of the incidence of delirium in patients treated with total knee and hip arthroplasty, given the advanced age and comorbidities in this population. We evaluated the medical records of patients who had previously undergone the designated surgeries for identification of postoperative delirium. Results: We observed in this study an incidence of 8.92% of delirium, mostly affecting females with a mean age of 73 years and hypertension. Conclusion: The incidence of delirium in our study is similar to that observed in the general population, according to the literature. We found no correlation with sleep disorders, smoking or diabetes mellitus in this study, even though the importance of these factors for the onset of delirium is well-established in the literature.

Resumo Introdução: Delirium é um transtorno comum e que pode potencializar a taxa de mortalidade e de comorbidade de pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. Dentre esses pacientes, aqueles submetidos a cirurgias ortopédicas de grande porte, como as artroplastias de joelho e quadril, apresentam especial vulnerabilidade, já que em muitos casos os pacientes são portadores de diversos fatores de risco para esse transtorno. Método: Este é um estudo descritivo retrospectivo da incidência de delirium em pacientes submetidos a artroplastia total de quadril e joelho, tendo em vista a idade avançada e a presença de comorbidades nessa população. Avaliamos o prontuário de pacientes que foram submetidos anteriormente às cirurgias designadas, para identificar casos de delirium pós-operatório e elaborar este estudo descritivo. Resultados: Observamos uma incidência de 8,92% de delirium em sua maioria em pacientes do sexo feminino e com média de idade de 73 anos, portadores de hipertensão arterial. Conclusão: A incidência de delirium neste estudo assemelhou-se à observada na população geral em outros estudos da literatura. Não foi possível estabelecer uma correlação com distúrbios do sono, diabetes melito, ou tabagismo, apesar de a importância desses fatores para o acometimento de delirium já estar bem-estabelecida na literatura.

Disfunción cognitiva postoperatoria / Postoperative cognitive dysfunction

Cognitive function may decline after surgical procedures. Cognitive postoperative dysfunction (CPOD) is subtle and requires neuropsychological test for diagnosis. Multifactorial in origin, its cause is unknown but associated with different risk factors, which especially affects origin people submitted to extense surgery. CPOD is transient, but in some cases is prolonged and is associated with an increase in mortality and permanente disability. The aging population and the increase of elderly patients requiring surgery a cause of concern. Clinical studies are required to recognize preventive and therapeutic measures to reduce CPOD in the future. (AU)

Carotid endarterectomy: review of 10 years of practice of general and locoregional anesthesia in a tertiary care hospital in Portugal / Endarterectomia carotídea: revisão de 10 anos de prática de anestesia geral e locorregional num hospital terciário em Portugal / Endarterectomía carotídea: revisión de 10 años de práctica de la anestesia general y locorregional en un hospital terciario en Portugal

Retrospective and prospective randomized studies have compared general and locoregional anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy, but without definitive results.

Estudos retrospectivos e prospectivos randomizados têm comparado a anestesia locorregional e geral para endarterectomia carotídea, mas sem resultados definitivos.

Estudios retrospectivos y prospectivos aleatorizados han comparado la anestesia locorregional y la general para la endarterectomía carotídea pero sin resultados definitivos.

Enfermedad por depósito de cristales de pirofosfato de calcio como ejemplo de forma de manifestación de la enfermedad en el adulto mayor / Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease as an example of illness presentation in the elderly

Illness presentation in the elderly may be entirely non-specific, with fatigue, loss of function or the presence of geriatric syndromes. We report a 90 years old male consulting in the emergency room for delirium that persisted throughout hospitalization without finding a cause. During the course of hospitalization mild fever appeared and a left knee swelling became apparent. A synovial fluid aspiration showed a leukocyte count of 360 per field with 60% polymorphonuclear cells. The culture was negative. With a presumptive diagnosis of pseudogout, cochicine and celecoxib were started with remission of the confusional state. The patient was discharged 13 days after admission in good conditions.

Delirium postoperatorio: una consecuencia del envejecimiento poblacional / Postoperative delirium among older people

Delirium (acute confusional state) is a common and disabling complication among surgical older people. It is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Its incidence varies by type of intervention and it is associated with several complications such as functional impairment, cognitive dysfunction, prolonged hospitalization and institutionalization. These increase hospitalization costs and the risk of death. There are precipitating and predisposing risk factors, which increase the susceptibility for postoperative delirium. This condition should be considered as a syndrome of epidemiological importance, which needs to be prevented or treated in a timely manner through a multidisciplinary intervention. The perioperative care of elderly patients involves different medical specialties and is a subject of general knowledge.

The conundrum of prolonged delirium.

Withdrawal delirium in alcohol dependence usually lasts 48 to 72 hours. However, certain factors can prolong delirium. We report a 39-year-old man with long-standing alcohol use who presented with delirium, which failed to resolve with treatment. On evaluation, he was found to have AIDS and limbic encephalitis due to herpes simplex virus.

Síndrome confusional aguda pós-neurocirurgia: etiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento / Acute confusional syndrome after neurosurgery: etiology, diagnosis and treatment

A síndrome confusional aguda (SCA) ou delirium é uma complicação comum em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia, em especial as cardíacas e neurológicas, sendo uma alteração cognitiva. Se não abordada imediata e corretamente, pode provocar sequelas irreversíveis. É uma situação clínica ainda pouco estudada quando tratada conjuntamente com a neurocirurgia, necessitando de estudos prospectivos mais adequados. Esta revisão tem como propósito elucidar questões referentes a uma complicação neurocirúrgica subdiagnosticada, que em muitos casos não recebem o tratamento mais indicado pela literatura. Além de abordar a etiologia, o diagnóstico e o tratamento dessa complicação, o presente trabalho enaltece a necessidade de mais estudos acerca da SCA e suas derivações, tendo, assim, o propósito de promover a melhor abordagem pós-operatória de uma das complicações mais complexas da neurocirurgia.

Acute confusional syndrome (ACS) or delirium is an usual complication in patients submitted to surgery, especially heart and neurological, result of a cognitive disturb. If not dealt immediate and properly, it may cause irreversible consequences. It is yet a poorly studied clinical condition, when treated along with neurosurgery, more appropriate prospective studies being necessary. This review/paper aims to elucidate issues related to an underdiagnosed neurosurgical complication which, in many cases, do not receive the best treatment indicated by literature/textbooks. Besides approaching the etiology, diagnosis and treatment for this complication, the current work/paper emphasizes the need for more studies about the ACS and its derivatives. Thereby, it features the purpose of promoting the best postoperative approach for one of the most complex neurosurgery complications

Delirium postoperatorio: una ventana hacia una mejoría de la calidad y seguridad en la atención de pacientes quirúrgicos / Postoperative delirium: a window to quality improvement and safety in the care of surgical patients

Postoperative delirium or acute confusional state is a common complication among older subjects. Many factors influence its appearance, such as preexistent problems of the patient, medication use, pain, the perioperative anesthetic management and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction to surgical trauma. Its consequences are a longer hospital stay, higher risk of complications and a long term derangement of functional status and cognitive performance. The management of delirium is multifactorial, including the avoidance of precipitating factors, the maintenance of an adequate environment and the conscious use of neuroleptics. The prevention of delirium should be a priority that will improve health care standards.

El delirium postoperatorio constituye una complicación frecuente y relevante de los pacientes quirúrgicos, en particular en los adultos mayores Su génesis es multifactorial participando características preexistentes del paciente, y gatillantes como medicamentos, dolor, el enfrentamiento anestésico peri operatorio y la intensidad de la respuesta inflamatoria asociada al trauma quirúrgico, entre otros. La aparición de delirium postoperatorio se asocia a desenlaces adversos, como una mayor estadía hospitalaria, mayor riesgo de complicaciones, y a una reducción en la funcionalidad y el estado cognitivo en la evolución alejada. Estrategias de prevención no farmacológicas multimodales, han documentado una reducción significativa en la incidencia de delirium. La terapia del delirium, debe enfocarse en la búsqueda y manejo de factores precipitantes, en favorecer un adecuado entorno no farmacológico, y en el uso apropiado de neurolépticos. El adecuado reconocimiento de esta entidad, y la implementación de estrategias de prevención no farmacológicas constituyen actualmente un estándar que promueve una atención de calidad y segura a los pacientes quirúrgicos.

Delirium / Delirium

Delirium, também conhecido como estado confusional agudo é uma alteração cognitiva definida por início agudo, curso flutuante, distúrbios da consciência, atenção, orientação, memória, pensamento, percepção e comportamento. É condição cada vez mais comum entre pacientes hospitalizados e acomete, preferencialmente, pacientes idosos e debilitados. Trata-se de emergência médica, já sendo comprovadas maiores taxas de mortalidade, maior tempo de internação e maiores índices de institucionalização quando do episódio de delirium. O mecanismo fisiopatológico ainda não está bem definido, sendo a alteração na neurotransmissão o mecanismo mais provável. A abordagem do paciente deve incluir a identificação de fatores predisponentes e precipitantes, com intervenções adequadas a cada um visando à resolução do quadro. Apresenta-se por alteração do nível de consciência, déficit de atenção e outros distúrbios da cognição, podendo se apresentar na forma hiperativa, hipoativa ou mista. Apesar de já estar bem definido, por diversas vezes passa despercebido aos profissionais de saúde. A principal medida na abordagem de delirium é a prevenção, e são necessárias medidas institucionais e treinamento dos profissionais de saúde. O tratamento não-farmacológico consiste em medidas que evitem os fatores responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento do delirium, sendo a primeira opção na abordagem inicial. O tratamento farmacológico se reserva aos pacientes com agitação importante, com risco de trauma físico, e que não apresentem resposta às medidas não-farmacológicas. Por sua frequência e importância como fator prognóstico, o delirium deve ser abordado de forma sistematizada, com a elaboração de fluxogramas de atendimento e definição de medidas uniformizadas para cada instituição.

Delirium, also known as acute confusional state is a cognitive impairment defined by acute onset and fluctuating course, disturbance of consciousness, attention, orientation, memory, thought, perception and behavior. It is an increasingly common condition among hospitalized patients and more frequent in, elderly and debilitated patients. It is a medical emergency, already proven higher death rates, longer hospitalization and higher rates of institutionalization due the occurrence of delirium. The pathophysiologic mechanism is not yet well established, with the change in neurotransmission most probably involved. Management of patients should include identification of risk factors and precipitants, with appropriate interventions aimed at each resolution. It is presented by altered level of consciousness, attention deficit and other disorders of cognition, which may present as hyperactive, hypoactive, or mixed. Although well defined, several times delirium goes unrecognized by health professionals. The main measure in addressing delirium is prevention, with institutional measures required as well as training of health professionals. Non-pharmacological treatment consists of measures to prevent the factors responsible for the development of delirium, and is the first option in the initial approach. Pharmacological treatment is reserved for patients with major upheaval, with the risk of physical trauma, and presenting no response to non-pharmacological measures. For the frequency and importance as a prognostic factor, delirium should be approached systematically, with flowcharting care and defining standardized measures for each institution.