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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Geriatric Anesthesia (S Akhtar, Section Editor)

You Are Only as Frail as Your Arteries: Prehabilitation of Elderly Surgical Patients

Authors: Matthew J. Durand, Angela K. Beckert, Carrie Y. Peterson, Kirk A. Ludwig, Timothy J. Ridolfi, Kathryn K. Lauer, Julie K. Freed

Published in: Current Anesthesiology Reports | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To discuss the concept of prehabilitation for the elderly frail surgical patient as well as strategies to improve preoperative functional capacity and vascular function to decrease postoperative complications.

Recent Findings

Frailty is associated with poor surgical outcomes yet there is no consensus on how frailty should be measured or mitigated in the preoperative period. Prehabilitation, or improving functional capacity prior to surgery typically through exercise, has been shown to be an effective strategy to decrease preoperative frailty and improves surgical outcomes. Use of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) may serve as an alternative to exercise in this fragile patient population.

Summary

Prehabilitation programs using strategies targeted at improving vascular function may decrease frailty in the preoperative period and improve surgical outcomes in the elderly population.

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Title: You Are Only as Frail as Your Arteries: Prehabilitation of Elderly Surgical Patients
Authors: Matthew J. Durand
Angela K. Beckert
Carrie Y. Peterson
Kirk A. Ludwig
Timothy J. Ridolfi
Kathryn K. Lauer
Julie K. Freed
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Anesthesiology Reports / Issue 4/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2167-6275
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-019-00357-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

You Are Only as Frail as Your Arteries: Prehabilitation of Elderly Surgical Patients

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

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