Geriatric Flashcards
What % of individuals older than 65 years are estimated to have a surgical procedure?
50%
What is a greater determinant of post-op complications than anesthetic management?
Pre-op co-morbid disease
Surgical risk and outcome in patients older than 65 years depend on what 4 factors?
- Age
- Status and coexisting disease
- Elective or emergent
- Type of procedure
A __% decline per year in organ function occurs after age ___.
1%
30
Protein catabolism + nutritional deficiencies are associated with…
Reduction in INTRAcellular water
Decreased K levels
Hypothermia is more pronounced and lasts longer due to…
Lower metabolic rate
Hypothyroidism
Higher ratio of body surface area to body mass
Less effective vasoconstriction
Cardiovascular Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are INCREASED
LV wall thickness/LVH/LV wall tension Afterload/Cardiac workload SBP/PP/PVR Circulation time Conduction fibrosis/Incidence of dysrhythmias/SA node cell loss Vagal tone
Cardiovascular Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are DECREASED
LV compliance Cardiac reserve CO/CI SV Resting HR Sensitivity of adrenergic receptors Chronotropic and ionotropic responses Baroreceptor function Arterial compliance Perfusion to vital organs
Does the heart atrophy with age?
NO
How are short-term demands for increased CO met?
First modest increases in HR
Then increases in LVEDV to increase SV
Cardiovascular Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are UNCHANGED
DBP Resting systolic function Excitation-contraction coupling Ionized calcium levels Contractile proteins
Cardiac function declines by ___% (20-80 years old)/
50%
Respiratory Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are INCREASED
Vocal cord stimulation needed for closure - risk of aspiration/airway obstruction Pulmonary complications WOB Chest wall rigidity AP diameter of chest Airway resistance Alveolar compliance Physiologic dead space (VD)/shunt V/Q mismatch A-a O2 (FiO2 (age + 2.5)) and CO2 gradient Alveolocapillary membrane thickness Potential for hypoxia Respiratory depression to opioids Air trapping FRC CV CC RV
Respiratory Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are DECREASED
Laryngeal reflexes/protective reflexes Ability to cough Muscle strength Chest wall compliance Elasticity of lung tissues Lung recoil Normal oxygen tension (PaO2) Efficacy of gas exchange Total alveolar surface area (30%) Response to hypoxia and hypercapnia Cervical spine/TMJ mobility East of mask ventilation IC VC ERV IRV FEV1 FVC
What respiratory parameters change minimally with aging?
TLC
PaCO2
PAO2
*TLC declines about 10% by age 70 - reflecting a loss in height d/t deterioration of intervertebral disks
Explain the significance of the following: CC is > FRC in anesthetized elderly patients.
More dependent airways are collapsed and more of the TV is distributed to areas of the lung that are under perfused.
Endocrine Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are INCREASED
Insulin resistance - DM
Heat loss
Endocrine Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are DECREASED
Metabolism of benzos - MEN Synthesized plasma cholinesterases - MEN Pancreatic function Insulin response Basal and maximal O2 consumption (loss of lean body mass) Hypothalamic temp regulation Heat production
GI and Hepatobiliary Changes in the Elderly
Parameters that are INCREASED
Gastric pH