Research Progress on Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

After cardiovascular surgery, patients often experience various neurological complications due to surgical factors. Delirium is one of the common complications, and cognitive impairment is the main manifestation of patients. The main cause of this complication is directly related to the long duration of cardiac surgery. Due to the long duration of extracorporeal circulation during surgery, it can easily affect cerebral perfusion and increase the possibility of postoperative delirium. According to relevant surveys, the likelihood of delirium occurring after cardiovascular surgery is 26% to 52%, and it increases with age. Once delirium occurs after cardiovascular surgery, it not only has a direct impact on the patient's prognosis, but also leads to confusion, increased hospitalization time and costs, and even poses a threat to the patient's life safety. According to statistics, the annual cost of postoperative delirium treatment in the United States is approximately$38 to$120 billion. Therefore, this article provides a review of the research progress on delirium in elderly patients after cardiac surgery.