Anesthesia in the Elderly

Authors

  • Diogo Guerra Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto
  • Fernando José Abelha Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.6571

Keywords:

elderly, anaesthesiolology, outcomes assessment

Abstract

There is a growing expansion of elderly population, associated with an increased demand for surgical treatments by older patients. There is an age-related decline in physiological reserve, which may be compounded by illness, cognitive decline, frailty and polypharmacy. The elderly are at relatively higher risk of mortality and morbidity after elective and emergency surgery. The aims of peri-operative care are to treat adequately the elderly patients in a timely, dignified manner avoiding postoperative complications. An effective peri-operative care improves the likelihood of very elderly surgical patients returning to their pre-morbid place of residence, and maintains the continuity of their community care when in hospital. This manuscript approach the singular geriatric physiology and the perioperative assessment of the elderly patient to help guide the care of elderly patients hoping to improve the care of these patients.

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Published

2016-03-10

How to Cite

Guerra, D., & Abelha, F. J. (2016). Anesthesia in the Elderly. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Anesthesiology, 25(1), 32–44. https://doi.org/10.25751/rspa.6571

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Narrative Reviews

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