Age-Related Anatomic & Physiological Changes: Cardiovascular System

By the year 2040, persons aged 65 years or older
are expected to comprise 24% of the population

and account for 50% of health care expenditures. In
Europe, persons aged 65 years or older are expected
to comprise 30% of the population within the next
40 years. Of these individuals, many will require
surgery. Th e elderly patient typically presents for
surgery with multiple chronic medical conditions
in addition to the acute surgical illness. Age is not a

contraindication to anesthesia and surgery; however,
perioperative morbidity and mortality are greater in
elderly than younger surgical patients.
As with pediatric patients, optimal anesthetic
management of geriatric patients depends upon
an understanding of the normal changes in physiology,
anatomy, and response to pharmacological
agents that accompany aging. In fact, there are many
similarities between elderly and pediatric patients
( Table 43–1 ). Individual genetic polymorphisms
and lifestyle choices can modulate the infl ammatory
response, which contributes to the development of
many systemic diseases. Consequently, chronologic
age may not fully refl ect an individual patient’s true
physical condition. Th e relatively high frequency
of serious physiological abnormalities in elderly
patients demands a particularly careful preoperative
evaluation.
Elderly patients are frequently treated with
-blockers. -Blockers should be continued perioperatively,
if patients are taking such medications
chronically, to avoid the eff ects of -blocker withdrawal.
A careful review of patients’ oft en extensive
medication lists can reveal the routine use of
oral hypoglycemic agents, angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers,
antiplatelet agents, statins, and anticoagulants.
Because elderly patients frequently take multiple
drugs for multiple conditions, they oft en benefi t
from an evaluation before the day of surgery, even
when scheduled for outpatient surgery. Preoperative
laboratory studies should be guided by patient condition
and history. Patients who have cardiac stents
requiring antiplatelet therapy present particularly
vexing problems. Th eir management should be

closely coordinated between the surgeon, cardiologist,
and anesthesiologist. At no time should the
anesthesia staff discontinue antiplatelet therapy
without discussing the plan with the patient’s primary
physicians.
Age-Related Anatomic
& Physiological Changes
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in the
geriatric than general population. Still, it is important
to distinguish between changes in physiology
that normally accompany aging and the pathophysiology
of diseases common in the geriatric population
( Table 43–2 ). For example, atherosclerosis is
pathological—it is not present in healthy elderly
patients. On the other hand, a reduction in arterial
elasticity caused by fi brosis of the media is part of
the normal aging process. Changes in the cardiovascular
system that accompany aging include
decreased vascular and myocardial compliance and
autonomic responsiveness. In addition to myocardial
fi brosis, calcifi cation of the valves can occur.
Elderly patients with systolic murmurs should be
suspected of having aortic stenosis. However,
in the absence of co-existing disease, resting
systolic cardiac function seems to be preserved, even
in octogenarians. Functional capacity of less than
4 metabolic equivalents (METS) is associated with
potential adverse outcomes (see Table 21–2).
Increased vagal tone and decreased sensitivity of
adrenergic receptors lead to a decline in heart rate;
maximal heart rate declines by approximately one
beat per minute per year of age over 50. Fibrosis of
the conduction system and loss of sinoatrial node
cells increase the incidence of dysrhythmias, particularly
atrial fi brillation and fl utter. Preoperative risk
assessment and evaluation of the patient with cardiac
disease were previously reviewed in this text
(see Chapters 18, 20, & 21). Age per se does not mandate
any particular battery of tests or evaluative
tools, although there is a long tradition of routinely
requesting tests such as 12-lead electrocardiography
ECG) in patients who are older than a defi ned
age. Nonetheless, elderly individuals are more
likely to present for surgery with previously undetected
conditions that require an intervention,
such as arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or

myocardial ischemia. Cardiovascular evaluation
should be guided by American Heart Association
guidelines.
Elderly patients undergoing echocardiographic

evaluation for surgery have an
increased incidence of diastolic dysfunction compared
with younger patients. Diastolic dysfunction
prevents the ventricle from relaxing and consequently
inhibits diastolic ventricular fi lling at relatively
low pressures. Th e ventricle becomes less
compliant, and fi lling pressures are increased. Diastolic
dysfunction is NOT equivalent to diastolic
heart failure. In some patients, systolic ventricular
function can be well preserved; however, the patient
can have signs of congestion secondary to severe
diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic heart failure most
oft en coexists with systolic dysfunction.
Echocardiography is used to assess diastolic
dysfunction. A ratio of greater than 15 between
the peak E velocity of transmitral diastolic fi lling
and the e’ tissue Doppler wave is associated with
elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and
diastolic dysfunction. Conversely, a ratio of less than
8 is consistent with normal diastolic function (see
Figure 43–1 ).
Marked diastolic dysfunction may be seen with
systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies,
and valvular heart disease, particularly
aortic stenosis. Patients may be asymptomatic
or complain of exercise intolerance, dyspnea, cough,
or fatigue. Diastolic dysfunction results in relatively
large increases in ventricular end-diastolic pressure,
with small changes of left ventricular volume; the
atrial contribution to ventricular fi lling becomes
even more important than in younger patients.
Atrial enlargement predisposes patients to atrial
fi brillation and fl utter. Patients are at increased risk
of developing congestive heart failure. Th e elderly
patient with diastolic dysfunction may poorly tolerate
perioperative fl uid administration, resulting in
elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and
pulmonary congestion.
Diminished cardiac reserve in many elderly
patients may be manifested as exaggerated
drops in blood pressure during induction of general
anesthesia. A prolonged circulation time delaysthe onset of intravenous drugs, but speeds induction
with inhalational agents. Like infants, elderly
patients have less ability to respond to hypovolemia,
hypotension, or hypoxia with an increase in heart
rate. Ultimately, cardiovascular diseases, including
heart failure, stroke, arrhythmias, and hypertension
contribute to an increased risk of morbidity, mortality,
increased cost of care, and frailty in elderly
patients.
Research is ongoing into the relationship
between telomere biology and cardiovascular disease.
Telomeres, which are located at the chromosome
terminus, protect the DNA from degradation
during cell division. With each cell division, there
is progressive telomere loss. Cells with short telomeres
undergo “replicative senescence” and apoptosis.
Telomerase maintains telomere length, but has
low activity in human cells. Indeed, telomere length
varies among humans based upon inheritance and
environmental factors. Telomerase activity is defi -
cient in various early aging syndromes. Telomere
shortening may be either a cause or a consequence
of cardiovascular disease . Whatever the exact mechanism
of cardiovascular aging, patient management
should at all times be in accordance with American
Heart Association/American College of Cardiology
guidelines.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Aging decreases the elasticity of lung tissue,
allowing overdistention of alveoli and collapse
of small airways. Residual volume and the functional
residual capacity increase with aging. Airway
collapse increases residual volume and closing
capacity Even in normal persons, closing capacity
exceeds functional residual capacity at age 45 years
in the supine position and age 65 years in the sitting
position. When this happens, some airways
close during part of normal tidal breathing, resulting
in a mismatch of ventilation and perfusion. Th e
additive eff ect of these emphysema-like changes
decreases arterial oxygen tension by an average rate
of 0.35 mm Hg per year; however, there is a wide
range of arterial oxygen tensions in elderly preoperative
patients. Both anatomic and physiological dead
space increase. Other pulmonary eff ects of aging are
summarized in Table 43–2.
Decreased respiratory muscle function/mass,
a less compliant chest wall, and intrinsic changes in
lung function can increase the work of breathing and
make it more diffi cult for elderly patients to muster
a respiratory reserve in settings of acute illness (eg,
infection). Many patients also present with obstructive
or restrictive lung diseases. In patients who haveno intrinsic pulmonary disease, gas exchange is
unaff ected by aging.
Measures to prevent perioperative hypoxia
in elderly patients include a longer preoxygenation
period prior to induction, increased inspired
oxygen concentrations during anesthesia, positive
end-expiratory pressure, and pulmonary toilet.
Aspiration pneumonia is a common and potentially
life-threatening complication in elderly
patients, possibly as a consequence of a progressive
decrease in protective laryngeal refl exes and immunocompetence
with age. Ventilatory impairment
in the recovery room is more common in elderly
than younger patients. Factors associated with an
increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications
include age older than 64 years, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, malnutrition,
and abdominal or thoracic surgical
incisions.

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By the year 2040, persons aged 65 years or older

are expected to comprise 24% of the population

in addition to the acute surgical illness. Age is not a

vexing problems. Th eir management should be

such as arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or

Elderly patients undergoing echocardiographic

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