Postcardiotomy confusion and sleep loss.
To examine the relationship between sleep loss and confusion after open-heart surgery, 27 consecutive patients were monitored 1 day preoperatively and 5 days postoperatively with the Folstein Mini-Mental State examination, a modified sleep latency test, and a sleep log. Confusion (low Mini-Mental State scores) peaked on postoperative Days 1 and 2 and correlated with insomnia (sleep time) during the following night but not during the preceding night. The results suggest that sleep loss is not the cause but, rather, a consequence of postcardiotomy confusion. Confusion, not insomnia, should be the focus of treatment.
Harrell
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RG
Graduate School of Nursing, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
Othmer
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E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000209:etiology*