Preserving Cognitive Status in Elderly Surgical Patients Requiring General Anesthesia

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

It has been well established that the elderly brain is more vulnerable to the adverse effects of surgery and anesthesia compared with the younger brain. Both anecdotally and in clinical investigation, the elderly surgical population has been found to exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of postoperative cognitive decline. The most common manifestations of this decline are postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

This program will provide attendees with an update on the current state of knowledge regarding the causes of postoperative cogntive decline, approaches for optimizing postoperative cognitive outcomes, and strategies for educating and preparing elderly patients for surgery.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This educational initiative has been designed for physicians involved in the care of elderly patients who require general anesthesia.

This webcast offers 1.5 credits. It expires January 28, 2016.

To take the course, click here or go to mycme.com