Postoperative delirium in patients with chronic lower limb ischaemia: what are the specific markers?

Objectives: we determined the incidence and specific markers of postoperative delirium in elderly patients with chronic lower limb ischaemia. Patients and methods: since April, 1995, 110 patients aged 60 years or older (mean: 71.6±6.6 years) who underwent bypass surgery were assessed regarding aetiological factors of delirium: age, sex, dementia, body-mass index, hypertension, diabetes, cerebral disease, laboratory test results, severity of limb ischaemia, type of arterial occlusion, operative time, and blood transfusion. Results: discriminant analysis showed statistical significance in the following five variables: age ≥70 years; critical limb ischaemia (and/or ankle pressure