Namenda to Prevent Post-Operative Delirium

Post Operative Delirium is a common and serious risk of surgery. Delirium, when it occurs is associated with an increased risk of mortality, increase length of stay, and more adverse outcomes in general, including increased risk of higher level of care required at discharge. Namenda, which is currently approved for moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease has a unique mechanism of action than other drugs for this condition. It may have the ability to protect the brain from more severe consequences of hypoxia, or hypoglycemia. Hence it is being looked at in this study to see if it can reduce the incidence and/or severity of delirium post-operatively.