Time and incidence of peroperative cardiovascular complications in geriatric patients

: The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was determined in a retrospective study via data evaluation by computer. Two groups of patients were examined, one group comprising patients below 60 years of age, whereas the other group consisted of persons above 60 years of age. The results show that complications of the cardiovascular system are three to four times more frequent in patients older than 60 years; severe hypotension or hypertensive reactions were seen in 2.9 and 9.3% of the patients, respectively, while arrhythmias occurred in 3.9%. No differences could be found in respect of the time at which these complications became manifest (intraoperatively or in the recovery room). Enumeration of the secondary diseases covered by this study, reveals significant differences; this can explain the limited range of compensation in persons of advanced age. Hence, an optimal preanaesthetic treatment and diagnosis, as well as monitoring are mandatory in geriatric patients to ensure safe anaesthesia.