Delirium occurs commonly following major non-cardiac and cardiac surgery and is associated with: postoperative mortality; postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction; increased length of hospital stay; and major postoperative complications and morbidity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peri-operative administration of dexmedetomidine on the incidence of postoperative delirium in non-cardiac and cardiac surgical patients.

In this randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial we included 63 patients aged ≥ 60 years undergoing major open abdominal surgery or coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium, as screened for with the Confusion Assessment Method.

Delirium assessment was performed twice daily until postoperative day 5, at the time of discharge from hospital or until postoperative day 14.

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