Anestesia em pacientes geriátricos: desafios e cuidados específicos

Abstract

This article aims to review the challenges and specific care in geriatric patient anesthesia, highlighting the peculiarities of this population and the importance of individualized anesthetic planning. Physiological aspects, perioperative management strategies, and complication mitigation measures will be addressed. A literature search was conducted on Google Scholar, Scielo, and PubMed using DeCS (Health Sciences Descriptors) based keywords: "Anesthesia", "Perioperative Care", "General Anesthesia", "Cardiac Anesthesia", and "Geriatrics". Articles published between 2005 and 2024, in English or Portuguese, with full access and direct relevance to the topic were included. Thesis, paid or incomplete articles, and materials outside the established period were excluded. The results emphasize the complexity of anesthetic management in elderly patients due to age-related physiological changes and higher comorbidity prevalence. Detailed preoperative evaluation and personalized anesthetic techniques are crucial for reducing risks and improving clinical outcomes. Integrating advanced technologies, such as enhanced monitoring, and evidence-based practices are essential for continuous evolution in geriatric anesthetic management. Geriatric patient anesthesia requires a meticulous approach, considering population-specific characteristics, to ensure safety and quality care. Personalized management and ethical and technological approaches significantly contribute to better clinical outcomes.