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Delirium commonly develops after cardiac surgery. Although the presence of delirium is associated with cognitive decline in general patient populations, whether delirium affects the return of cognitive function in patients who undergo cardiac surgery is uncertain. To find out, researchers assessed cognitive function in 225 patients (age, ≥60) before and after coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement.
Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; range, 0–30), and delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method (JW Hosp Med Oct 8 2010), with daily assessments beginning on postoperative day 2 and continuing until discharge; then again at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Postoperative …