What is the Delirium Bibliography? The searchable Delirium Bibliography page is one of our most popular features, allowing you to quickly gain access to the literature on delirium and acute care of older persons. It is primarily intended for clinicians and researchers interested in exploring these topics. The NIDUS team keeps it updated for you on a monthly basis!
How to Search for Articles: Search by author, title, year, and/or keywords. Each article is indexed by keywords taken from MEDLINE and other relevant databases. Click on the title of the article to read the abstract, journal, etc.
Reference Information
- Title
- Incidence and predictors of postoperative delirium following remimazolam administration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 29 randomized trials
- Authors
- Li, C. Wei, L. Gong, H. Yuan, X.
- Year
- 2025
- Journal
- BMC Anesthesiol
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is a significant and common complication in surgical patients, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Remimazolam, a novel benzodiazepine, has been introduced as an anesthetic agent with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. However, its potential association with postoperative delirium remains unclear. This study aims to systematically synthesize available evidence on the incidence of delirium following remimazolam administration in surgical patients. We sought to identify significant moderators of delirium incidence and to explore predictors of delirium through meta-regression analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, up to May 20, 2024. The search was updated on Feb 2nd, 2025. Randomized trials were selected based on predefined criteria, and data on patient characteristics, surgical details, and delirium incidence were extracted. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled incidence rate of delirium, and subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to identify incidence rate moderators. RESULTS: A total of 29 RCTs, including 2,435 patients, were analyzed. The pooled incidence of postoperative delirium following remimazolam administration was 5% (95%CI: 3-7%). ASA III-IV patients had a delirium rate of 19% (95%CI: 15-23%) compared to 1% (95%CI: 0-1%) for ASA I-II. Age was a key factor, with children showing the highest rate (11%, 95%CI: 3-19%), followed by elderly patients (8%, 95%CI: 4-13%), while adults had the lowest (1%, 95%CI: 0-2%). Delirium incidence was highest in oncologic (16%, 95%CI: 0-34%) and orthopedic surgeries (12%, 95%CI: 9-14%), and lowest in gastrointestinal and endoscopic procedures (0%, 95%CI: 0-1%). High-dose remimazolam was linked to the lowest delirium incidence, while moderate doses had higher rates. Meta-regression identified surgery type as the primary predictor, with orthopedic surgery having the highest risk compared to laparoscopic and abdominal procedures (coefficient = 0.081, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative delirium occurs in 5% of surgical patients following remimazolam administration. Key moderators include ASA classification, age, surgery type, and anesthetic dosing. Remimazolam may be safely used in surgical patients, particularly when higher doses are administered, but caution is warranted in high-risk populations such as elderly patients and those undergoing complex surgical procedures.
- PMID
PMID: 40269722
PMCID: PMC12016161
- Keywords
Humans Incidence Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic *Benzodiazepines/adverse effects/administration & dosage *Postoperative Complications/epidemiology/chemically induced *Emergence Delirium/epidemiology/chemically induced *Delirium/epidemiology/chemically induced *Hypnotics and Sedatives/adverse effects/administration & dosage Delirium Incidence Rate Moderators Remimazolam
- Page(s)
- Volume
- Issue
| Title | Authors | Journal | Year | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of massage on outcomes of adult intensive care unit patients: a systematic review. | Jagan, S. Park, T. Papathanassoglou, E. | Nurs Crit Care | 2019 |
Complementary and alternative therapies |
| Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Reduces Delirium in Elderly Patients after Lung Cancer Surgery. | Huyan, T. Hu, X. Peng, H. Zhu, Z. Li, Q. Zhang, W. | Psychiatr Danub | 2019 | |
| The Oslo Study of Clonidine in Elderly Patients with Delirium; LUCID: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. | Hov, K. R. Neerland, B. E. Undseth, O. Bruun Bratholm Wyller, V. MacLullich, A. M. J. Qvigstad, E. Skovlund, E. Wyller, T. B. | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry | 2019 |
Delirium treatment |
| Delirium and Alzheimer disease: A proposed model for shared pathophysiology. | Fong, T. G. Vasunilashorn, S. M. Libermann, T. Marcantonio, E. R. Inouye, S. K. | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry | 2019 |
Alzheimer disease |
| Development and validation of a dynamic delirium prediction rule in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Units (DYNAMIC-ICU): A prospective cohort study. | Fan, H. Ji, M. Huang, J. Yue, P. Yang, X. Wang, C. Ying, W. | International journal of nursing studies | 2019 |
aged |
| Delirium and cognitive impairment among older patients in Norwegian emergency departments. | Evensen, S. Saltvedt, I. Ranhoff, A. H. Myrstad, M. Myrstad, C. Mellingsaeter, M. Wang-Hansen, M. S. Neerland, B. E. | Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen | 2019 | |
| Motor activity across delirium motor subtypes in geriatric patients assessed using body-worn sensors: a Norwegian cross-sectional study. | Evensen, S. Bourke, A. K. Lydersen, S. Sletvold, O. Saltvedt, I. Wyller, T. B. Taraldsen, K. | BMJ Open | 2019 |
accelerometer |
| Factors Associated With Delirium in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients Treated With Supplemental Melatonin: A Case-Cohort Study. | Cusimano, J. M. Welch, S. Perez-Protto, S. Lam, S. | Clin Neuropharmacol | 2019 | |
| Intraoperative blood transfusion predicts postoperative delirium among older patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery: A prospective cohort study. | Chou, M. Y. Wang, Y. C. Peng, L. N. Liang, C. K. Chu, C. S. Liao, M. C. Lin, Y. T. Hsu, C. J. Chen, L. K. | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry | 2019 |
aged |
| Postoperative delirium in critically ill surgical patients: incidence, risk factors, and predictive scores. | Chaiwat, O. Chanidnuan, M. Pancharoen, W. Vijitmala, K. Danpornprasert, P. Toadithep, P. Thanakiattiwibun, C. | BMC Anesthesiology | 2019 |
Intensive care unit (ICU) |
| Differential Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcome of Delirium among Ward Compared with ICU Patients. | Canet, E. Amjad, S. Robbins, R. Lewis, J. Matalanis, M. Jones, D. Bellomo, R. | Intern Med J | 2019 |
Agitation |
| Vitamin D levels and risk of delirium: A mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank. | Bowman, K. Jones, L. Pilling, L. C. Delgado, J. Kuchel, G. A. Ferrucci, L. Fortinsky, R. H. Melzer, D. | Neurology | 2019 | |
| Single-bed rooms in a geriatric ward prevent delirium in older patients. | Blandfort, S. Gregersen, M. Rahbek, K. Juul, S. Damsgaard, E. M. | Aging Clin Exp Res | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Drug Prescription and Delirium in Older Inpatients: Results From the Nationwide Multicenter Italian Delirium Day 2015-2016. | Aloisi, G. Marengoni, A. Morandi, A. Zucchelli, A. Cherubini, A. Mossello, E. Bo, M. Di Santo, S. G. Mazzone, A. Trabucchi, M. Cappa, S. Fimognari, F. L. Incalzi, R. A. Gareri, P. Perticone, F. Campanini, M. Montorsi, M. Latronico, N. Zambon, A. Bellelli, | J Clin Psychiatry | 2019 | |
| Patient Safety Incidents Describing Patient Falls in Critical Care in North West England Between 2009 and 2017. | Thomas, A. N. Balmforth, J. E. | J Patient Saf | 2019 | |
| Have you SCAND MMe Please? A framework to prevent harm during acute hospitalisation of older persons: A retrospective audit. | Redley, B. Baker, T. | Journal of Clinical Nursing | 2019 |
acute disease |
| Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion to Decrease Postoperative Delirium for Spinal Fusion Patients. | Plyler, S. S. Muckler, V. C. Titch, J. F. Gupta, D. K. Rice, A. N. | J Perianesth Nurs | 2019 |
3d-cam |
| Nurses' experiences of caring for older patients afflicted by delirium in a neurological department. | Kristiansen, S. Konradsen, H. Beck, M. | Journal of Clinical Nursing | 2019 |
adult |
| Association of Delirium Response and Safety of Pharmacological Interventions for the Management and Prevention of Delirium: A Network Meta-analysis. | Wu, Y. C. Tseng, P. T. Tu, Y. K. Hsu, C. Y. Liang, C. S. Yeh, T. C. Chen, T. Y. Chu, C. S. Matsuoka, Y. J. Stubbs, B. Carvalho, A. F. Wada, S. Lin, P. Y. Chen, Y. W. Su, K. P. | JAMA Psychiatry | 2019 | |
| Effect of electroencephalography-guided anesthetic administration on postoperative delirium among older adults undergoing major surgery the engages randomized clinical trial. | Wildes, T. S. Mickle, A. M. Abdallah, A. B. Maybrier, H. R. Oberhaus, J. Budelier, T. P. Kronzer, A. McKinnon, S. L. Park, D. Torres, B. A. Graetz, T. J. Emmert, D. A. Palanca, B. J. Goswami, S. Jordan, K. Lin, N. Fritz, B. A. Stevens, T. W. Jacobsohn, E. | JAMA | 2019 |
NCT02241655 |
| Perioperative Epidural Use and Risk of Delirium in Surgical Patients: A Secondary Analysis of the PODCAST Trial. | Vlisides, P. E. Thompson, A. Kunkler, B. S. Maybrier, H. R. Avidan, M. S. Mashour, G. A. | Anesth Analg | 2019 | |
| Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen vs Placebo Combined with Propofol or Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Delirium among Older Patients Following Cardiac Surgery: The DEXACET Randomized Clinical Trial. | Subramaniam, B. Shankar, P. Shaefi, S. Mueller, A. O'Gara, B. Banner-Goodspeed, V. Gallagher, J. Gasangwa, D. Patxot, M. Packiasabapathy, S. Mathur, P. Eikermann, M. Talmor, D. Marcantonio, E. R. | JAMA | 2019 |
NCT02546765 |
| The use of a screening scale improves the recognition of delirium in older patients after cardiac surgery - a retrospective observational study. | Smulter, N. Claesson Lingehall, H. Gustafson, Y. Olofsson, B. Engstrom, K. G. | J Clin Nurs | 2019 |
Assessments scales |
| Incidence and predictors of postoperative delirium in the older acute care surgery population: a prospective study. | Saravana-Bawan, B. Warkentin, L. M. Rucker, D. Carr, F. Churchill, T. A. Khadaroo, R. G. | Canadian Journal of Surgery | 2019 |
aged |
| Association of Duration of Surgery With Postoperative Delirium Among Patients Receiving Hip Fracture Repair. | Ravi, B. Pincus, D. Choi, S. Jenkinson, R. Wasserstein, D. N. Redelmeier, D. A. | JAMA Netw Open | 2019 | |
| Depression Predicts Delirium After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Independent of Cognitive Impairment and Cerebrovascular Disease: An Analysis of the Neuropsychiatric Outcomes After Heart Surgery Study. | Oldham, M. A. Hawkins, K. A. Lin, I. H. Deng, Y. Hao, Q. Scoutt, L. M. Yuh, D. D. Lee, H. B. | American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry | 2019 |
aged |
| Accuracy of the Delirium Observational Screening Scale (DOS) as a screening tool for delirium in patients with advanced cancer. | Neefjes, E. C. W. van der Vorst, Mjdl Boddaert, M. S. A. Verdegaal, Batt Beeker, A. Teunissen, S. C. C. Beekman, A. T. F. Zuurmond, W. W. A. Berkhof, J. Verheul, H. M. W. | BMC Cancer | 2019 |
Delirium |
| The impact of intravenous isotonic and hypotonic maintenance fluid on the risk of delirium in adult postoperative patients: retrospective before-after observational study. | Nagae, M. Egi, M. Furushima, N. Okada, M. Makino, S. Mizobuchi, S. | J Anesth | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Association between delirium, adverse clinical events and functional outcomes in older patients admitted to rehabilitation settings after a hip fracture: A multicenter retrospective cohort study. | Morandi, A. Mazzone, A. Bernardini, B. Suardi, T. Prina, R. Pozzi, C. Gentile, S. Trabucchi, M. Bellelli, G. | Geriatrics & Gerontology International | 2019 |
aged |
| Handover of anesthesia care is associated with an increased risk of delirium in elderly after major noncardiac surgery: results of a secondary analysis. | Liu, G. Y. Su, X. Meng, Z. T. Cui, F. Li, H. L. Zhu, S. N. Wang, D. X. | J Anesth | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Undiagnosed delirium is frequent and difficult to predict: Results from a prevalence survey of a tertiary hospital. | Lange, P. W. Lamanna, M. Watson, R. Maier, A. B. | J Clin Nurs | 2019 |
Undiagnosed delirium |