Opiold Therapy-Associated Cardiovascular Effects

摘要

In caring for the older adult patient, it is especially difficult to evaluate and control pain in light of the multitude of pharmacologic, physiologic and psychologic aspects of care.1 There must be an ongoing focus on both the efficacy and adverse effects of opioids—the mainstay of pain treatment in all age groups—when they are prescribed to older adults with impaired metabolism, excretion, and physical reserve.1 Of particular importance in this regard is that the elderly are at greater risk for opioid-related adverse effects owing to their comorbidities and high incidence of polypharmacy.1 Among patients taking prescribed opioids, an increased cardiovascular-event rate has recently been reported in older adults.