Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Mental Disorders and Long-term Survival in Elderly Patients

China's aging population is causing an increase in the number of senior persons undergoing surgery. More and more clinicians are paying attention to the postoperative survival and mental health of elderly surgical patients. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that works by inhibiting norepinephrine releasing renaline, which reduces inflammation and thus plays a protective role in the central nervous system. DEX has the potential to prevent and treat postoperative anxiety and depression in elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Further exploration of evidence for evidence-based medicine is needed. Based on the above research background, this hypothesis is proposed: in elderly patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, intraoperative DEX is associated with a reduction in short-term postoperative mental disorders and a reduction in long-term postoperative mortality.