What is the impact of age on anesthesia administration?

Older patients often exhibit altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, which significantly impacts anesthesia administration. As individuals age, there are physiological changes such as reduced hepatic and renal function, changes in body composition (e.g., decreased lean body mass and increased fat), and alterations in total body water. These factors can affect how anesthetic drugs are metabolized and eliminated from the body.

In elderly patients, the sensitivity to anesthetic agents is generally heightened. This means that drugs may have a more pronounced effect, increasing the risk of adverse reactions or complications. For example, older patients often experience prolonged recovery times from anesthetics due to slower drug clearance. Therefore, anesthetic dosages may need to be carefully adjusted to ensure safety and efficacy.

Understanding that older patients might react differently to anesthesia is crucial for effective anesthesia management. Adjustments to dosing protocols and vigilant monitoring during and after surgery are imperative to address this increased sensitivity and altered metabolism.