Geriatrics Flashcards
Define a fall
Unintentional loss of balance resulting in coming to rest on the floor or an object below knee level
Not as a consequence of force, sudden onset paralysis, seizure or XS alcohol
What is the biggest risk factor for falls?
Previous fall
What assessments help in falls risk assessment?
Timed up and go test
Turn 180 test
What are the causes of transient loss of consciousness?
Syncope
Epilepsy
What are the potential causes of unconsciousness?
Trauma
Metabolic
Infection
Neuro
What are the potential causes of apparent unconsciousness?
Dizziness
Vestibular
Mechanical
Pseudo
What extrinsic factors may contribute to falls risk?
Drugs Footwear Obstacles Inappropriate walking aids Gravity Lighting conditions Furniture
What intrinsic factors contribute to falls risk?
BP HR Neurology Muscle strength Joint integrity Vision Vestibular dysfunction Reflexes
What are the components of a falls clinic appt?
History of falls, syncope, neuro, msk, cardiac, vestibular Focused examination Bone health/osteoporosis review Drug / polypharmacy review Investigations: bloods, ECG, X-rays etc Physio and ot assessment
Define syncope
Transient loss of consciousness Loss of voluntary muscle tone Rapid onset with spontaneous prompt recovery on lying down Full recovery (no focal deficit) Transient global cerebral hypoperfusion
What are the causes of syncope?
- Neurally-mediated reflex: situational / vasovagal faint / carotid sinus syndrome
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Cardiac syncope
What questions should you ask a witness to a ?syncopal episode?
Posture just before Appearance / colour Any abnormal movement Tongue biting or incontinence Duration Post-event confusion
What factors make cardiac syncope the likely diagnosis?
CHESS... Congestive heart failure Haematocrit <30% ECG abnormality Shortness of breath Systolic BP <90 on triage
What investigations would you request for a patient with syncope related to a tachy or bradyarrhythmia?
24h tape or consider inpatient monitoring
How do you investigate suspected orthostatic hypotension?
Postural drop in BP: lying/standing BP
Accompanied by increase in HR
Define orthostatic hypotension
= postural hypotension
Systolic BP fall of more than 20 or diastolic fall more than 10
Within 10 minutes of standing
How do you measure lying/standing BPs?
Measure BP at 0, 3 and 5 minutes
What are the potential underlying causes of orthostatic hypotension?
Hypovolaemia Autonomic failure eg PD or DM Prolonged bed rest Drugs eg anti-hypertensives Alcohol
How do you manage orthostatic hypotension?
Treat underlying cause, recognise precipitating factors
Conservative: education, bed tilt, increase salt
Medical: fludrocortisone
Averting action: recognise pre-syncope and sit/lie down
Describe tilt table testing
Moving from supine to upright causes shift of 300-800ml blood to venous capacitance system within 10 seconds
Reduced venous return and cardiac filling which decreases stroke volume
Compensatory increase in HR not enough
Sympathetic increase in TPR is key
Failure of compensatory mechanism is the cause of vasovagal
What are the contraindications to carotid sinus massage?
Heterogenous plaque disease
Stenosis
How do you manage carotid sinus sensitivity?
Dual chamber pacing if cardio-inhibitory
Vasodepressor: education, reassurance, drugs alteration