Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Anesth Analg. 2011 Apr 7;112(5):1202–1211. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3182147f6d

Table 4. Predisposing and Precipitating Factors for Delirium after Surgery.

Predisposing Factors Precipitating Factors
Preoperative Intraoperative Postoperative
Demographics Type of Operation Early Complications of Operation
 Increasing age  Hip fracture  Low hematocrit
 Male gender  Cardiac surgery  Cardiogenic shock
Comorbidities  Vascular surgery  Hypoxemia
 Impaired Cognition Complexity of Operation  Prolonged intubation
  Dementia  Operation time  Sedation Management
  Mild Cognitive Impairment  Shock / hypotension  Pain
  Preoperative Memory Complaint  Arrythmia Later Complications of Operation
 Atherosclerosis  Decreased cardiac output  Low albumin
  Intracranial Stenosis  Emergency surgery  Abnormal electrolytes
  Carotid Stenosis Operative Factors  Iatrogenic complications
  Peripheral Vascular Disease  Intraoperative temperature  Pain
  Prior Stroke / Transient Ischemic Attack  Benzodiazepine administration  Infection
 Diabetes  Propofol administration  Liver Failure
 Hypertension  Blood Transfusion  Renal Failure
 Atrial fibrillation Anaesthesia Factors  Sleep-wake disturbance
 Low albumin  Type of anesthesia Alcohol withdrawal
 Electrolyte abnormalities  Duration of anesthesia
Psychiatric Disease  Cognitively Active Medications
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Benzodiazepine use
Function
 Impaired functional status
 Sensory impairment
Lifestyle Factors
 Alcohol use
 Sleep deprivation
 Smoking