The elderly heart surgery patient

As our elderly population increases, we will be seeing more elderly heart surgery patients. Because of aging's effects on the body, the elderly have different needs from and are more prone to complications of surgery than the younger patient. Drug toxicity, pulmonary complications, unstable hemodynamics, decreased infection defense, impaired swallowing reflexes, and altered skin function are some of the critical problems seen in this group after heart surgery. The aged patient poses some unique challenges for the critical care nurse that, if met, result in a great feeling of achievement when the patient is returned to a normal and prolonged life.