Comparison of DeltaScan® and CAM-ICU for the Assessment of Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Interventions: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium is frequent among elderly patients and often presents after major surgery or intervention. Validated screening tools should be routinely used to recognise this psychopathological syndrome. Delirium might be associated with systematic changes in brain network organisation, including reduced EEG connectivity.

METHODS

This observational single-centre pilot study aimed to evaluate the agreement between DeltaScan® (Prolira BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands) and CAM-ICU screening in detecting postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiac surgery or cardiac intervention.

RESULTS

1. Patients showing delirium have DeltaScan® scores ≥ 3. 2. Patients scoring ≥ 3 in the DeltaScan® examination do not necessarily show signs of delirium in CAM-ICU testing. 3. All patients showing delirium in CAM-ICU testing have pathological clock-drawing results.

CONCLUSIONS

DeltaScan® reliably detects delta wave abnormalities associated with delirium, though some patients with increased delta activity did not exhibit clinically manifest delirium.