S2 Ep. 14: Dazed and confused (Postoperative delirium)

Today we're following last week's episode on anaesthesia for NOF surgery with an episode focusing on post-operative delirium. These two topics go hand-in-hand but were way to big for us to tackle in just one episode.

We start by defining delirium and revising the DSM-V diagnostic criteria, and take a brief look at the different pathophysiological theories behind delirium, factors predisposing to delirium development, and the management of established delirium. We specifically address what we as anaesthetists can do pre-, intra- and post-operatively to try to reduce the risk of our patients developing post-operative delirium.

Feel free to email us at deepbreathspod@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. We love hearing from you!

Thanks for listening, and happy studying.

Resources for today's episode:

Cognitive decline after anaesthesia and critical care by D. Gwilym Lloyd et al.
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjaceaccp/mks004 

Postoperative delirium: treatment and prevention by T. During et al.
https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000000939

Improving perioperative brain health: an expert consensus review of key actions for the perioperative care team by C. Peden et al.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.10.037

Postoperative delirium: perioperative assessment, risk reduction, and management by Z. Jin et al.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2020.06.063

Australian Commission in Health and Quality in Healthcare: Delirium Clinical Care Standard
https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/clinical-care-standards/delirium-clinical-care-standard 

Feel free to email us at deepbreathspod@gmail.com if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. We love hearing from you!

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Thanks for listening, and happy studying!