Abstract

VASQUEZ-REVILLA, Héctor Romeo  and  REVILLA-RODRIGUEZ, Eduardo. The elderly patient in the Intensive Care Unit. A literature review. Med. crít. (Col. Mex. Med. Crít.) [online]. 2019, vol.33, n.4, pp.204-208.  Epub July 30, 2021. ISSN 2448-8909.

The population of elderly patients has increased significantly in recent years. The aging of the population leads to an increase in the demand for health services, including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The decision to admit an elderly patient to the ICU should not be based only on age, but other factors should be considered such as the severity of the disease, previous functional situation and diagnosis of admission. Mortality in the ICU is usually higher in elderly patients due to a lower physiological reserve and the presence of comorbidities, but also to a lower intensity of treatment compared to that received by younger patients. The patient’s discharge from the ICU is not the end of the story, a higher mortality related to the lack of rehabilitation and long-term follow-up contributes to the fact that few patients can recover the functionality prior to their admission and be released to their home.

Keywords : Elderly patients; Intensive Care Unit; mortality.

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