ABSTRACT
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a postoperative neurological complication associated with memory impairment, thinking, attention, insight, language comprehension, social integration, and other aspects of central nervous function. The main risk factors for development of POCD are advanced age, pre-existing cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, and lower education level. The elderly brain is more vulnerable due to decrease of cognitive reserve, preexisting cerebrovascular dysfunction, or degenerative disease. To provide better perioperative care and minimize the risk factors for postoperative complications, a thoughtful preoperative anesthesiologic evaluation is a landmark and allows detection of the presence and stability of the patient's medical condition, as well as a review of the medication list. Cognitive complications have been widely recognized even after noncardiac operations and nonsurgical procedures such as coronary angiography or sedation as well. Consequently, the focus of POCD has shifted from type of surgery and anesthesia to the preexisting physical and mental status of the patients.
