Delirium Linked to Higher Mortality in Elderly Cardiac Patients

Delirium, a common in-hospital complication for elderly patients, is associated with longer hospital stay and increased short- and long-term mortality in elderly patients with acute cardiac diseases, according to the results of a recent study.

Researchers conducted a prospective study to assess incidence, prevalence, and significance of delirium in 726 patients aged 65 years and older (mean age 79.1±7.8 years) with acute cardiac diseases admitted to 2 cardiac intensive care units (CICU) between January 2014 and March 2015. Patients were assessed with the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), and followed for 6 months.
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Of the 726 patients screened, 111 patients (15.3%) were diagnosed with delirium. Of the 111, prevalent delirium was diagnosed in 46 patients (41.4%) and incident delirium was diagnosed in 65 patients (58.6%). The delirium rate for patients aged 85 years and older was 52.3%.

Patients with delirium remained in the hospital for longer lengths of time and had higher 30-day and 6-month mortality compared with patients without delirium, regardless of onset time. Positive CAM score was found to be an independent predictor for short- and long-term mortality.

“Our findings suggest the usefulness of a protocol for early identification of delirium in CICU,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Falsini G, Grotti S, Porto I, et al. Long-term prognostic value of delirium in elderly patients with acute cardiac diseases admitted to two cardiac intensive care units: a prospective study (DELIRIUM CORDIS) [published online March 16, 2017]. Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care. doi:10.1177/2048872617695235.