Dexmedetomidine and 5-year Outcome in Elderly Patients After Surgery

Delirium is a frequent postoperative complication. Its occurrence is associated with worse long-term outcomes. In a previous randomized controlled trial, prophylactic low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion during the early postoperative period decreased the incidence of delirium in elderly patients after surgery. The purpose of this 5-year follow-up study is to evaluate whether prophylactic low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion can improve the 5-year outcomes in elderly patients recruited in the previous randomized controlled trial.