The extent of physiological disturbance in a preoperative population of 100 elderly patients scheduled for elective major surgery was measured. Haemodynamic, respiratory and renal function were evaluated preoperatively in the intensive care unit. Of these patients 13% had serious problems requiring either postponement of the operation (7%) or its cancellation (6%). Cardiac index was 2.2l1minlm 2 or less in 11% of patients; creatinine clearance 50 mllmin or less in 19% ofpatients; mean blood pressure was equal to or exceeded 120 mmHg in 15% of patients and intrapulmonary shunt equalled or exceeded 15% in 10% of patients. The mean duration of stay in the intensive care unit was four days, including the preoperative day. The logistics of preoperative admission were implemented without undue difficulty.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.