Emergency Management of Palpitations in the Elderly: Epidemiology, Diagnostic Approaches, and Therapeutic Options

• Autores: Namirah Jamshed, Jeffrey Dubin, Zayd Eldadah
• Localización: Clinics in geriatric medicine, ISSN 0749-0690, Vol. 29, Nº. 1, 2013, págs. 205-230
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Palpitations are a common complaint among elderly patients presenting to the emergency department. Although most are benign, the elderly do have a higher risk of having a cardiac cause. Other causes include psychiatric disorders, and sometimes a combination of cardiac and psychiatric causes coexist. A history and physical examination, including a detailed medication history, are an essential part of the workup in older patients. A 12-lead electrocardiogram is an essential first step toward a diagnosis; other tests are recommended in high-risk patients, including those with underlying coronary artery disease or structural cardiac abnormalities.