Projection of Visual Material on Postoperative Delirium in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

The aim is to evaluate the impact of visual projection of images of relatives or loved ones in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in the immediate postoperative period, and its influence on the incidence and development of postoperative delirium. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was designed in the immediate postoperative period of adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. CONSORT guidelines were followed. A control group and an intervention group were established. In the intervention group, the patients underwent a visual projection, while the usual unit treatment was carried out with the control group. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, anesthetic, and surgical variables were also recorded. The postoperative delirium assessment scale used was the "Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit scale" (CAM-ICU). The projection of visual material could reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, although it cannot be established that it is effective as a treatment once the pathology is already established. The results obtained suggest that the visual projection of images is an effective and economical tool to address an increasingly incidental problem due to the aging of the population.