Polypharmacy in the Cardiovascular Geriatric Critical Care Population: Improving Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• The cardiovascular geriatric population in intensive or critical care is highly vulnerable to adverse outcomes.
• Factors contributing to vulnerability include advanced age, the critical care setting, geriatric syndromes, and multiple chronic conditions.
• Polypharmacy significantly elevates the risk of adverse events in this patient group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the vulnerabilities of cardiovascular geriatric patients in critical care.
• To emphasize the role of polypharmacy in increasing adverse event risk.
• To advocate for the use of evidence-based tools for optimizing medication management in this population.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on geriatric cardiovascular critical care.
• Identification of tools and aids for appropriate prescribing and deprescribing.
• Emphasis on the interprofessional team approach for medication management.

Main Results:

• Vulnerable cardiovascular geriatric patients in critical care are at high risk for adverse outcomes.
• Polypharmacy is a major contributor to adverse events in this population.
• Evidence-based prescribing and deprescribing tools are available to guide practice.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing the care of cardiovascular geriatric patients in critical care requires a comprehensive approach.
• Implementation of evidence-based prescribing and deprescribing tools is crucial.
• An interprofessional team, including patients and their support systems, is essential for successful medication management and improved outcomes.