However, they added that in a sensitivity analysis, the baseline differences between the two study groups in cognitive function was controlled for by matching subjects’ preoperative MMSE scores and the results did not change.
The study results highlight the importance of proactive interventions such as the Hospital Elder Life Program to prevent delirium and to ameliorate its effects if it does develop. In addition, "cognitive screening at hospital discharge may identify high-risk patients who require close monitoring after discharge or tailored transitional care in order to enhance functional and clinical outcomes," they said.
The findings also have implications for postoperative and rehabilitative care after cardiac surgery. "Since patients with postoperative delirium continue to have improvements in cognitive function up to 6 months after surgery, rehabilitation services, such as physical and occupational therapy, may need to be extended for these patients," Dr. Saczynski and her colleagues said
This study was supported by the Harvard Older Americans Independence Center; the National Institute on Aging; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and the National Institutes of Health. The authors reported no financial conflicts of interest relevant to the study.