Perioperative Multimodal Anesthesia Using Regional Techniques in the Aging Surgical Patient

Table 3

Definitions of altered mental status
Condition	Definition
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD)	Persistent deterioration of cognitive performance after surgery most often resolves within 3 months but can last longer
Delirium	Decline in mental status, reduced awareness, cognitive and psychomotor dysfunction, disorientation, and memory impairment
Altered pharmacodynamics	Increased effect of drug on the body; for example, exaggerated respiratory and cardiovascular depression from narcotics
Stroke	Decreased blood supply to the brain due to ischemia or hemorrhage. There is an increased risk in the elderly, because of autonomic dysfunction, decreased baroreceptor sensitivity, and loss of vascular elasticity
Hyperalgesia	Paradoxical increase in pain intensity, new pain complaints, and altered pain characteristics while receiving treatment with opioids