Postoperative delirium in the PACU and intensive care unit

SummaryDelirium occurs in up to 15% in the post anaesthesia care unit (PACU) and 70% in ICU and does not only impose patients and healthcare staff to harm, but may also lead to increased morbidity, persisting cognitive deficits, increased physical dependence, institutionalization, and higher mortality. Delirium is the consequence of a complex interplay of predisposing and precipitating factors, some of which are potentially avoidable or amendable to treatment. This review gives an overview over established clinical risk factors, possible factors of pathogenesis, clinical consequences and outcomes, and non-pharmacological prevention, intervention and established treatment strategies of postoperative delirium.