Affiliations: [a] Department of Surgical and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy | [b] Department of Neuroscience Psychiatric and Anesthesiological Sciences University of Messina, Messina, Italy | [c] Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical care, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy | [x] Neurospectroscopy and Neuroimaging Laboratory, National Brain Research Center, Manesar, Gurgaon, India | [y] Department of Neurosciences, Psychiatric and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Messina, Policlinico G. Martino, Messina, Italy
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Prof. Gianfranco Di Nino, Department of Surgical and Anesthesiological Sciences, University of Bologna. Bologna, Italy. Tel.: +39 051 390996; E-mail: gianfranco.dinino@unibo.it.
Abstract: The aim of this review is to identify an evidence-based perioperative management for patients affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) that are scheduled to undergo surgery. This will minimize the negative effects of anesthesia and postoperative sedation and correct those perioperative variables possibly responsible for a decline in cognitive status and a worsening of AD. We here gather evidence on the importance of correct preoperative assessment regarding cognitive and functional status and the presence of preoperative delirium. The potential role of anesthesia, surgery, and postoperative analgosedation as risk factors for development of delirium are herein outlined. Finally, pain assessment instruments, as well as principles of management strategies for postoperative delirium in subjects with AD, are suggested.
