Sleep apnea - Another piece of the postoperative delirium puzzle?

Abstract

Cardiac surgery is associated with high rates of postoperative delirium. The development of postoperative delirium increases morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and now appears likely to be an independent risk factor for postoperative delirium. If confirmed in larger controlled trials, sleep apnea may represent a risk factor for targeted intervention to reduce the rate of postoperative delirium.