Management of cardiovascular disease in elderly patients frequently lacks evidence-based support due to limited clinical trials enrolling patients aged >75 years.
The aging of the population worldwide will result in increasing numbers of elderly patients, among whom heart disease is the leading cause of death. Changes in cardiovascular physiology with normal aging and prevalent comorbidities result in differences in the effects of common cardiac problems as well as the response to their treatments. Patient-centered goals of care such as maintenance of independence and reduction of symptoms may be preferred over increased longevity. New less-invasive treatments are likely to improve outcomes in elderly patients who previously have been considered at prohibitive risk for traditional procedures. Clinical trials enrolling elderly patients are limited and recommendations for management from younger patients frequently lack evidence-based support in patients aged >75 years.
Nanette K. Wenger (Tue,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular Disease. Management of cardiovascular disease in elderly patients frequently lacks evidence-based support due to limited clinical trials enrolling patients aged >75 years.