[Elderly patients--perioperative management from the viewpoint of the anesthetist]

FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: The number of elderly people undergoing surgery has increased considerably over the last decades. At the same time, there has been a shift from more minor to major procedures.

More intensive diagnostic evaluation (e.g. right heart catheter) during the preoperative phase is required to identify patients with an increased risk. Also in the postoperative phase, mortality can be reduced through intensive and more prolonged monitoring (e.g. Holter monitoring) and appropriate treatment. In the field of anesthesiology, age (greater than 70 years) is a risk factor in its own right, that is, apart from the concomitant diseases seen in the elderly patient.

The elderly patient requires more intensive diagnostic evaluation and care both pre- and postoperatively.