Anesthesia Can Dim Elderly Patients' Minds (HealthDay)


[Source: Yahoo! News - Health http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=index&cid=751 ]

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Oct. 26 (HealthDayNews) -- Many elderly people suffer cognitive decline for up to two years after having surgery that requires anesthesia.

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Previously, it was well documented that cardiac surgery had an impact on cognitive function of elderly patients. Now it seems like non-cardiac surgery elderly patients are at risk as well. Unfortunately, since patients are living longer and longer, more of them are undergoing surgical procedures that require general anesthesia. Compounding the problems is that we have a relatively poor idea of mechanisms of action of general anesthetics and side effects.

I guess that this is another great reason for regional anesthesia when possible. For many operations, regional anesthesia is very safe, and if a catheter is left in place, it is a great way to have post operative pain control.

Posted: Tue - October 26, 2004 at 07:09 PM          

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