Despite improvements in anesthesia and surgical techniques have considerably reduced surgical mortality in general population but remains high in older patients. This demands Anesthesiologists being prepared for the new challenges with awareness on the potential alterations due to the age related reduced physiological reserves and the additional impact of the associated comorbidities. This article considers various age related physiological alterations and their implications on the anesthetic management to minimize the additional stress on the various organ systems. Elderly individuals represent the fastest growing segment globally.
In India, according to the Census, Registrar General of India, 2001 the elderly population since independence had increased from 18.2 to 75.9 million in 2001. The projected figure is likely to rise further by another 12.6% to almost 150 million. This shift…
