Surgery>>>>>Surgical Considerations in the Elderly
Question 4#

What is the leading cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality in the elderly?

A. Congestive heart failure
B. Cerebrovascular accident
C. Pneumonia
D. Renal failure

Correct Answer is A

Comment:

Impaired cardiac reserve means that elderly patients cannot increase their ejection fraction as demand increases, but are dependent on ventricular filling and increased stroke volume to meet the need for increased output. Intravascular volume is therefore critically important, but fluid overload is poorly tolerated and can result in congestive heart failure.