Anesthesia and the risk of dementia in the elderly.

Anesthesia and the risk of dementia in the elderly.
Presse Med. 2018 Apr 13;:
Authors: Steinmetz J, Rasmussen LS
Abstract
Cognitive complications are common after surgery in the elderly, and with an increased number of elderly patients undergoing surgery, a potential impact of anaesthesia and surgery on long term cognition, and especially dementia would be concerning. The question whether anaesthesia and surgery in itself induce structural changes in the brain and thereby cognitive deterioration, or reveal a preexisting cognitive impairment remains unresolved. Several studies show an increased risk of reversible cognitive impairment after surgery in the elderly, but the risk of inducing dementia remains speculative. Further studies are needed to elucidate this potential association. Meanwhile, elderly frail patients need to be closely followed including preoperative cognitive screening, since they are at increased risk of cognitive deterioration after surgery and discharge.
PMID: 29661618 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Presse Medicale - April 13, 2018 Category: General Medicine Authors: Steinmetz J, Rasmussen LS Tags: Presse Med Source Type: research