Geriatric Anesthesia Flashcards
The geriatric demographic is typically defined as
chronological age > 65
By 2040, geriatrics are estimated to make up what % of the population
24%
What % of the population do geriatrics make up now
~12% (fastest growing age group)
Geriatrics account for what percent of healthcare expenditures
50%
% of geriatrics that require surgery before they die
50%
Currently, what % of all procedures are performed on elderly
35%
Risk of preoperative death in elderly
3x more likely
Geriatric effect on arteries
stiffen with age (naturally)
What does stiffening of arteries do to afterload?
Increase
What does stiffening of arteries do to systolic blood pressure?
increases
What does stiffening of arteries do to left ventricular hypertrophy
increases
Geriatric/aging effect on cardiovascular function
- stiff arteries
- myocardial fibrosis, valve calcification
- Increase vagal tone
- increased risk of dysrhythmias
- higher incidence of diastolic dysfunction
- decreased cardiac reserve
Geriatric/aging effect on vagal tone
increases (decreasing HR, decreasing sensitivity to adrenergic drugs; decreased natural response to hypovolemia)
Main dysrhythmias associated with geriatric cardiac function
A-fib/flutter
Geriatric effect on cardiac reserve
Decreases (predisposes pt to labile bp, longer circulation time for meds)
Cardiac disease states most common in elderly (5)
HTN CAD CHF PVD (peripheral vascular disease) anemia
Things you should do to assess cardiac function in elderly before surgery
- ECG indicated most of the time
- current medications related to heart (bb? warfarin? Ca channel blockers?)
- review/ask about cardiac testing (ECG, echo, stress)
- auscultate each valve
What are some drugs you should ask an elderly patient if they take if you’re concerned about the heart?
beta blockers
warfarin
Ca channel blocker
What are some tests you should review/interrogate about if you’re concerned with cardiac function?
ECG, echo, stress tests
Geriatric effect on pulmonary function
- decreased elasticity in lung tissue
- age-associated kyphoscoliosis
- anatomic/physiological dead space increase
- blunted response to hypercapnia and hypoxia
Geriatric effect on lung tissue elasticity
decreased
- alveolar collapse/distension common (atelectasis)
% reduction in alveolar surface area by 70
15%
Aging effect on spine
can get kyphoscoliosis leading to decreased chest height, altering respiratory mechanics
Aging effect on anatomic/physiologic deadspace
increase
- due to increase in central airway size
- small airways decrease in diameter from connective tissue loss
- airway resistance remains unchanged
Aging effect on the response to hypercapnia or hypoxia
blunted
Aging effect on central airway size? Small airway size?
increases central airway size
decreases small airways (connective tissue loss)
- increasing deadspace
Aging effect on total airway resistance
unchanged
What should you ask an elderly patient about when assessing pulmonary function?
- breathing issues, recent coughs/fevers, etc
- auscultate both apex and base of each lung (fluid will be at bottom)
- PFTs helpful if dz present (consider FiO2, Vt, PIP, PEEP)
GOLD acronym
global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease
GOLD 1 classification of COPD
Mild
FEV1 >/= 80% predicted
FEV1/FVC <0.7
GOLD 2 classification of COPD
Moderate
50% = FEV1 < 80% predicted
FEV1/FVC < 0.7
GOLD 3 classification of COPD
severe
30% = FEV1 < 50% predicted
FEV1/FVC < 0.7
GOLD 4 classification of COPD
Very severe
FEV1 < 30% predicted
FEV1/FVC <0.7
Metabolic and endocrine effect from aging
- basal/max oxygen consumption decrease
- weight loss
- heat production decrease, loss increase
- insulin resistance increase
- stress response preserved
- renin and aldosterone decline
Aging effect on basal/max oxygen consumption
decreases; metabolic decreases creates hypothermia risk
Weight loss begins after what age
60
Heat production/loss effect from aging (why might this be?)
heat production decreases, loss increases
- hypothalamus function decreases
Aging effect on insulin resistance? Why does this matter?
increases; diabetes is more likely to occur
Aging effect on stress response
fairly preserved
Aging effect on hormones
Renin and aldosterone decline others unchanged (ACH, cortisol, TSH, thyroxine)
Drug to avoid with diabetics
decadron (GC steroid)
What should you assess for endocrine function?
Diabetes (glucose tests)
TSH/thyroxine levels if thyroid disease present
What drug will patients be on for hypothyroidism?
levothyroxine
A1C (percent) for non-diabetic patient
about 5
A1C (percent) for prediabetic patient
5.7 to 6.4
A1C (percent) for diabetic patient
6.5 or above