Long term cognitive dysfunction in older people after non-cardiac surgery
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7432.120 (Published 15 January 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:120
- Amber Selwood, specialist registrar in old age psychiatry (a.selwood@ucl.ac.uk)1,
- Martin Orrell, reader in psychiatry of ageing (m.orrell@ucl.ac.uk)2
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University College London, London W1N 8AA
- 2Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University College London, London W1N 8AA
Outcomes from various studies differ, and no definite conclusion is possible
Half of all people reaching the age of 65 subsequently have one or more operations,1 but despite substantial research on short term cognitive dysfunction within the first week after the operation little research has been undertaken into the potential long term effects on cognition. The exception is cardiac surgery, where cognitive dysfunction has been well documented and has usually been attributed to the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass on the brain.2 3 Various risk factors for long term (defined as three months or more) postoperative cognitive dysfunction have been investigated, including type of anaesthetic agent, general versus regional anaesthesia, use of anticholinergic agents such as atropine, or the physiological effects of the anaesthetic such as hypoxia, hypotension, or hyper-ventilation.
The multicentre International Study of Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction (ISPOCD1) compared 1218 patients aged 60 years and older undergoing major surgery with a control group (n = 321) of a similar age.4 At three months after …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.