Search

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia in old age. As a result of the positive data on ablation, the focus has shifted to rhythm control. Older adults can also benefit from catheter ablation. Oral anticoagulation remains an essential part of the pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation. Recent study results show that geriatric patients require an individual treatment approach, which should be based on the recommendations of the current guidelines and the use of supplementary aids. The assessment of functionality should be taken into account in the treatment and the treatment goal planning as well as symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation. In acute situations cardioversion and long-term drug or interventional (catheter ablation) rhythm-stabilizing treatment are available for rhythm control., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

This case report details the assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of an 81-year-old patient presenting with acute visual impairment, dizziness, general weakness, gait disturbances and fear of falling. A holistic geriatric evaluation revealed orthostatic dysregulation and an underlying multifactorial gait disorder exacerbated by visual impairment. Ophthalmological findings included left central retinal artery branch occlusion and cataracts. A comprehensive geriatric assessment showed frailty, impaired mobility and decreased functional abilities. Subsequent patient-centered interdisciplinary approaches included treatment for retinal ischemia, orthostatic testing, medication reconciliation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. This case emphasizes how interdisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmology and geriatrics enables proactive assessment and intervention to reduce the risk of functional decline and loss of autonomy in visually impaired patients, which is of particular relevance considering the increasing prevalence of visual impairment in the ageing population., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Fragility fractures are associated with high morbidity and mortality. An interdisciplinary collaboration and an individualized, patient-centered approach are essential to ensure an optimized preoperative period and to improve perioperative safety. Preoperative responsibilities of trauma surgery include in the first step the identification of fragility fractures and the necessity for geriatric involvement. Orthogeriatric co-management (OCM) focuses on the identification of the medical, functional and social needs of the patient. In the preoperative period attention is focussed on acute diseases in need of treatment that have a negative impact on the course of further treatment and the prevention of delirium., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Frailty affects approximately one in two patients over 70 years of age in the emergency department. These are inadequately identified as high-risk patients using conventional triage tools. Frailty screening improves the identification of high-risk patients with increased hospitalisation and readmission rates, 30-day and one-year mortality. Unspecific complaints and geriatric syndromes should be recognised as red flags, and age-specific peculiarities of vital signs should be taken into account. A holistic evaluation should already be carried out in the emergency department, as focusing on individual problems is not target-oriented. All patients identified in the screening should be evaluated geriatrically in the course. For patients with frailty, the improvement of subjective well-being is in the foreground. Inpatient admission is partly avoidable, even if this is associated with health risks. This should be discussed with the patient within the framework of participatory decision-making. In advanced frailty, the needs correspond to those of palliative patients., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)