The chest wall is more compliant.

Closing capacity typically exceeds the tidal volume by age of 60 years.

The diaphragm becomes more dome shaped.

Elasticity of the lung parenchyma increases.

The elderly are more likely to experience respiratory failure when required to increase their minute ventilation.

There is decreased sympathetic activity.

There is increased response to b-receptor stimulation.

There is increased parasympathetic activity.

Veins become more compliant.

Ischemic preconditioning may be defective.

The aged brain is nearly incapable of forming new dendritic connections

Age is a major risk factor for postoperative delirium and/or cognitive decline.

Changes in the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is connected to Alzheimer’s disease.

An 80-year-old brain has typically lost 10% of its weight.

Nearly 50% of patients older than 85 years of age have significant cognitive impairment.

Liver mass decreases with age.

There is moderate reduction in phase 1 drug metabolism.

Liver blood flow decreases with age.

Even healthy elderly patients experience markedly reduced liver reserve and markedly prolonged drug metabolism.

Bile secretion decreases with age.

There is a reduction in total body water.

Aging causes a significant decrease in plasma albumin levels.

Aging is characterized by gradual loss of skeletal muscle.

Basal metabolism is unaffected by age.

The increase in body fat associated with aging is greater in women.

Hip surgery carries a relatively high risk of post-operative delirium.

Regional anesthesia significantly reduces the incidence of post-operative delirium.

Low cognitive function, dementia, depression, and dehydration are risk factors for post-operative delirium.

Emergence delirium does not qualify as postoperative delirium

Post-operative delirium and postoperative cognitive decline are distinct clinical entities.

The most prominent pharmacokinetic effect of aging is decrease in drug metabolism.

Elderly patients typically manifest a decrease in volume of distribution at steady state.

Typically, the initial blood concentration of bolus drugs is lower in older patients.

Medications dependent on hepatic metabolism undergo increased clearance.

Volume of distribution is affected by a decrease in body fat associated with aging.

Decreased ability to maintain sodium homeostasis.

Loss of up to 20% of glomeruli by 80 years of age.

Decreased renal cortical mass.

Reduced renal excretion of drugs.

Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Many of the changes associated with aging are the result of damage to protein.

Free radicals and non-enzymatic glycosylation of sugars and amines are responsible for many age-related tissue changes.

Mitochondrial DNA experiences more damage than nuclear DNA with aging.

After elastin is damaged and removed, it is usually replaced by collagen.

The cardiovascular system and lung parenchyma become stiffer with age.