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This review discusses how aging affects drug handling and response, guiding healthcare providers on appropriate antiarrhythmic medication selection and use in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Cardiology
Context:
- Physiological changes associated with aging significantly alter drug disposition and effects.
- Older adults often present with complex comorbidities, increasing the risk of adverse drug events.
Purpose:
- To review the pathophysiologic changes of old age.
- To analyze the consequences of these changes on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- To provide guidance on the appropriate selection and use of antiarrhythmic medications in the elderly.
Summary:
- Aging impacts drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (pharmacokinetics).
- Age-related changes also modify drug targets and responses (pharmacodynamics).
- This review details how to optimize antiarrhythmic therapy considering these geriatric-specific alterations.
Impact:
- Facilitates evidence-based prescribing of antiarrhythmic drugs for older patients.
- Aims to improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce adverse events in geriatric cardiology.
- Supports clinicians in navigating the complexities of antiarrhythmic pharmacotherapy in the aging population.
Abstract:
Having reviewed the pathophysiologic changes of old age and their consequences in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, the authors indicate the correct choice and the proper use of antiarrhythmic medication in these.