INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF DELERIUM AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence and associated risk factors for post-operative delirium after cardiac surgery.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Adult cardiac anesthesia department of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, from Mar to Apr 2015.

Material and Methods: A total of 176 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery were studied in our descriptive-cross sectional study lasting 02 months at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. Age more than 18 years, elective cardiac surgery, and post cardiac surgery stay in ICU more than 24 hours. Postoperative CVA or intracranial bleed, Pre-operative cognitive impairment.

Results: Out of 176 patients, 20 (11.4%) developed post-operative delirium. Mean mechanical ventilation time in patients who developed delirium was 10.8 hours ± 6.13 and was 6.47 ± 4.75 hours in patients who did not developed delirium (p= 0.000). The 14 (70%) patients who developed delirium were found to be hyperglycemic in our study versus 59 (37.8%) patients who had neither delirium nor hyperglycemia (p=0.006). ICU stay was prolonged in patients with delirium was 3.52 days ± 5.12 as compared to patients who did not developed delirium 2.45 ± 3.21 days (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Our study revealed that advanced age, prolonged mechanical ventilation and hyperglycemia are significant risk factors of delirium in post cardiac surgery patients.