Elsevier

Psychosomatics

Volume 50, Issue 3, May–June 2009, Pages 206-217
Psychosomatics

Original Research Reports
Dexmedetomidine and the Reduction of Postoperative Delirium after Cardiac Surgery

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psy.50.3.206Get rights and content

Background

Delirium is a neurobehavioral syndrome caused by the transient disruption of normal neuronal activity secondary to systemic disturbances.

Objective

The authors investigated the effects of postoperative sedation on the development of delirium in patients undergoing cardiac-valve procedures.

Methods

Patients underwent elective cardiac surgery with a standardized intraoperative anesthesia protocol, followed by random assignment to one of three postoperative sedation protocols: dexmedetomidine, propofol, or midazolam.

Results

The incidence of delirium for patients receiving dexmedetomidine was 3%, for those receiving propofol was 50%, and for patients receiving midazolam, 50%. Patients who developed postoperative delirium experienced significantly longer intensive-care stays and longer total hospitalization.

Conclusion

The findings of this open-label, randomized clinical investigation suggest that postoperative sedation with dexmedetomidine was associated with significantly lower rates of postoperative delirium and lower care costs.

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