Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders After Cardiac Surgery

Cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgery is a highly prevalent phenomenon with an immense impact on postoperative trajectory. As a dynamic and evolving field of study, recent changes in nomenclature have been proposed to standardize diagnosis and subsequent management. Postoperative delirium, delayed neurocognitive recovery, postoperative neurocognitive disorder, and neurocognitive disorders are all currently recognized as perioperative neurocognitive disorders. The clinical presentation is widely variable because of the multiple etiologies. Different modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been well established. The key to improving outcomes is correcting such factors considered modifiable prior to surgery, during surgery, and in the postoperative period.