Old Age Flashcards
Why does residual volume increase with age?
Name two complications of this.
Recoil decreases due to reduction in elastic fibre
Atelactasis
Infections
Name the most common post-op complications in the elderly.
Atelactasis
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumonia
Give some vascular changes with aging.
Decreased compliance
Decreased elastic recoil (large and medium arteries)
Decreased catecholamine receptor density
Decreased endothelium function - less NO production
Why do you get a limited maximum heart rate with age?
Why is more atrial kick required?
Why reduced diastolic compliance?
Why are arrythmias more common?
Fibrosis of the SAN.
Reduced ventricular compliant means more kick needed to achieve an adequate preload.
LV hypertrophy due to increased TPR (due to decreased compliance of blood vessels)
Decreased conducted cell number.
Why might anaesthesia take longer to take effect?
CO reduced due to to reduced ventricular contractility leading to arm-brain circulation time increasing.
Why might free drug availability be increased?
Less plasma proteins
Altered volume of distribution
Give two macroscopic brain changes with age.
Dilated ventricles
Cortical atrophy
Give three implications of malnourishment on their healthcare.
Longer hospital stays
Respond less well to treatment
More likely to have complications post surgery.
