Association of plasma free-3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl (ethylene)glycol, natural killer cell activity and delirium in postoperative patients

We measured and compared levels of plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl (e thylene) glycol (pMHPG), a major metabolite of noradrenaline, and natural k iller (NK) cell activity in 26 patients prior to their undergoing an operat ion for cardiovascular diseases; 11 of whom expressed delirium and 15 who d id not. In conclusion, we found that pMHPG levels before an operation were higher in patients with postoperative delirium than in the patients without , while NK cell activity showed no difference between the two groups. It is possible that hyperactivity of noradrenargic neurons is connected with the development of postoperative delirium. Furthermore, we considered that mea surement of pMHPG level before operation might be a useful tool to predict the occurrence of postoperative delirium. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wi lkins.