Falls in Elderly Flashcards
What are the common causes of provoked falls?
Pushed
Syncope
Seizure related
Icy walkway
What are the unintentional falls
Loss of balance
Weakness
What are the risk factors of falls?
Advanced age
Medications
What medications are associated with falls?
Drugs that cause:
Sedation
CNS/cognitive effects
Psychoactive medications
What number of medications is independently associated with falls
4 or more
What is the definition of dizziness?
Spinning/light-headedness, w/o loss of consciousness, and may or may not be associated with falls
What are the different classifications of dizziness?
Vertigo - sensation of movement
Light headedness - common in COPD/hypoxia
Disequilibrium - lower extremities or trunk
Presyncope - associated with nausea, sweating, or weakness
What is the definition of syncope?
“Transient loss of consciousness almost always associated with falls” associated with central hypoperfusion
What is syncope associated with?
Seizures TIAs Metabolic disorders Intoxication Orthostatic hypotension
What are the most common causes of dizziness/syncope are attributed to?
CV or neurological conditions
What is the definition of orthostatic hypotension?
Symptomatic decline in BP after standing
For orthostatic hypotension, how is SBP and DBP reduced?
greater than or equal to 20 SBP or greater than or equal to 10 DBP within 3 minutes of standing
How much blood is in the lower extremities when standing during orthostatic hypotension?
500-1000ml
How does the body return blood to the heart and maintain blood pressure?
CNS increases sympathetic and decreases parasympathetic outflow
Why is orthostatic hypotension more common in the elderly?
Blunted baroreceptor response
What are sx of orthostatic hypotension?
Weakness Dizziness Light-headedness Blurred vision Possible syncope
What are other etiologies for orthostatic hypotension?
Autonomic failure (Lewy bodies, neuropathies)
Volume depletion
Reflex syncope
Which medications can cause orthostatic hypotension?
Antihypertensive agents (BB, diuretics, CCBs, vasodilators, alpha blockers) Sedative hypnotics Antidepressants PDE-5 inhibitors Antipsychotic agents Muscle relaxants Narcotic analgesics Antiparkinsons agents --> but also Parkinson's disease
What are some management strategies for orthostatic hypotension?
Hydration Reduction of medication offenders Elastic stocking/ab binders Exercise Medications
When are medications used for orthostatic hypotension?
Last line
Typically someone would not be on any antihypertensive agents at this point but would still not be able to maintain adequate blood pressures
When are medications more commonly used for patients with orthostatic hypotension?
Pts w/autonomic dysfunction or neuropathy
What are the commonly used agents for orthostatic hypotension?
Fludricortisone
Midodrine
What is fludrocortisone?
Synthetic adrenocrotical steroid with potent mineralcorticoid activity
What is the MOA of fludricortisone?
Mimics aldosterone
An endogenous mineralcorticoid
Promotes resorption at the distal renal tubule
What do larger doses of fludricortisone do in the body?
Endogenous adrenal cortical secretion
Thymic activity
Pituitary corticotropin execretion
What is the dose of fludrocortisone in orthostatic hypotension?
0.1-0.2 mg PO once daily
Max 0.2mg daily, no dosage adjustments are needed for renal or hepatic impairment
What are the AEs of fludricortisone in orthostatic hypotension?
Edema Electrolyte abnormalities (K wasting, hyperglycemia) Ab distension PUD Myopathy HA Vertigo
What is midodrine?
Prodrug hydrolyzed to desglymidodrine
What is midodrine’s MOA?
Binds to alpha-1 receptors on arteries and veins to increase vascular tone and elevate blood rpessure
Can midodrine pass the BBB?
Limited which means no central action
What is the dose of midodrine?
10mg TID (4 hours between doses; no later than 6pm) Max daily 30mg
What are the dose adjustments in midodrine?
No adjustment for hepatic impairment
In renal impairment, start with 2.5mg per dose TID
What are the AEs for midodrine?
Pruritus Shivering Parasthesias Dysuria HTN Bradyarrhythmia
What is the new orphan drug for orthostatic hypotension?
Droxidopa (Northera)
What is the MOA of droxidopa?
Synthetic precursor to NE, use results in peripheral vasoconstriction
What is droxidopa indicated for?
Neurogenic orthostasis (Parkinson’s disease)
What is the dose for droxidopa?
100mg TID
Titrate by 100mg TID every 24-48 hours until 1800 mg/day max
Is there efficacy beyond using droxidopa for 2 weeks?
Nope
What are the AEs for droxidopa?
HTN Nausea HA Dizziness Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
What drugs are considered to be added if the first line therapies are not effective in orthostatic hypotension?
Pyridostigimine NSAIDs Caffeine Erythropoietin Dihydroergotamine DA (metoclopramide, domeperidone) Amulatiory NE infusions
If the patient is in an urgent, emergent or critical settings, what medications are used for orthostatic hypotension?
Vasopressors
IV fluids
What are sources of vitamin D?
Sunlight (cholecalciferol)
Diet
Supplementation