Abstract
It is difficult to separate the effects of disease from those of the ageing process, but as far as anaesthesia is concerned, this is an academic distinction, since disease is more common in the elderly. Anaesthetists are probably more aware of drug sensitivity than are any other physicians. Not only do they use potent drugs, but also because of the intravenous and inhalational routes, the maximum effect of these occurs within a few minutes. Furthermore, the effects of a severe adverse
reaction require immediate attention. However, these routes are themselves safety factors, as they permit a fine adjustment of dosage to the patient’s needs and thereby minimise the risk of overdosage with its accompanying dangers. Provided one appreciates the slower circulation time found in the elderly (Hunter, 1947), with proper adjustments of dosage and technique most anaesthetic drugs can be given safely to geriatric patients.
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© 1979 J. Crooks and I. H. Stevenson
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Dundee, J.W. (1979). Response to anaesthetic drugs in the elderly. In: Crooks, J., Stevenson, I.H. (eds) Drugs and the Elderly. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-03813-8_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-03813-8_16
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-03815-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-03813-8
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