Older Adults in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: Factoring Geriatric Syndromes in the Management, Prognosis, and Process of Care

Published: December 09, 2019

Doctors checking on patient at the ICU
  • Older adults admitted to cardiac intensive care units (CICU) face age-related cardiovascular (CV) risks and associated geriatric syndromes, including delirium and cognitive impairment, frailty, multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
  • The CICU environment of procedures, new medications, sensory overload, sleep deprivation, prolonged bedrest and malnourishment is inherently disruptive to older patients.
  • This statement examines age-related CV risks, the distinctive dynamics pertinent to older adults, and opportunities to enhance CICU care.