Magaña SIJ

Language: Spanish
References: 18
Page: 145-148
PDF size: 70.68 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the anatomical and physiological changes in elderly patients affecting their organism, which modify their response to trauma.
Design: Bibliographical review.
Material and methods: Medline and Medigraphic were consulted. Original articles and management guides were used to compile the needed information.
Results: Geriatric patients are not just “old patients”. The elderly patient undergoes anatomical and physiological changes that affect his/her whole organism and modify the response to trauma. Muscular atrophy, osteoporosis, decrease in fatty tissue, and cardiovascular and respiratory functional deficiencies make the elderly patient more susceptible to more severe injuries.
Conclusion: Alterations in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems limit the physiological reserve of the elderly to respond to hypoxia and shock conditions. Concomitant diseases complicate the panorama even more.

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