Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Linda Farho, Pharm.D. University of Nebraska Medical Center College of...
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Transcript of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Linda Farho, Pharm.D. University of Nebraska Medical Center College of...
Geriatric Geriatric PharmacotherapyPharmacotherapy
Linda Farho, Pharm.D.Linda Farho, Pharm.D.University of Nebraska Medical CenterUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center
College of PharmacyCollege of Pharmacy
ObjectivesObjectives
1.1. Understand key issues in geriatric Understand key issues in geriatric pharmacotherapypharmacotherapy
2.2. Understand the effect age on Understand the effect age on pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamicspharmacodynamics
3.3. Discuss risk factors for adverse drug Discuss risk factors for adverse drug events and ways to mitigate themevents and ways to mitigate them
4.4. Understand the principles of drug Understand the principles of drug prescribing for older patientsprescribing for older patients
The Aging ImperativeThe Aging Imperative
Persons aged 65y and Persons aged 65y and older constitute 13% older constitute 13% of the population and of the population and purchase 33% of all purchase 33% of all prescription prescription medicationsmedications
By 2040, 25% of the By 2040, 25% of the population will population will purchase 50% of all purchase 50% of all prescription drugsprescription drugs
Challenges of Geriatric Challenges of Geriatric PharmacotherapyPharmacotherapy
New drugs available each yearNew drugs available each year FDA approved and off-label indications are FDA approved and off-label indications are
expandingexpanding Changing managed-care formulariesChanging managed-care formularies Advanced understanding of drug-drug interactionsAdvanced understanding of drug-drug interactions Increasing popularity of “nutriceuticals”Increasing popularity of “nutriceuticals” Multiple co-morbid statesMultiple co-morbid states PolypharmacyPolypharmacy Medication complianceMedication compliance Effects of aging physiology on drug therapyEffects of aging physiology on drug therapy Medication costMedication cost
Pharmacokinetics (PK)Pharmacokinetics (PK) AbsorptionAbsorption
– bioavailabilitybioavailability: the fraction of a drug dose reaching the : the fraction of a drug dose reaching the systemic circulationsystemic circulation
DistributionDistribution– locations in the body a drug penetrates expressed as locations in the body a drug penetrates expressed as
volume per weight (e.g. L/kg)volume per weight (e.g. L/kg)
MetabolismMetabolism– drug conversion to alternate compounds which may be drug conversion to alternate compounds which may be
pharmacologically active or inactivepharmacologically active or inactive
EliminationElimination– a drug’s final route(s) of exit from the body expressed in a drug’s final route(s) of exit from the body expressed in
terms of half-life or clearanceterms of half-life or clearance
Effects of Aging on Effects of Aging on AbsorptionAbsorption
Rate of absorption may Rate of absorption may be delayedbe delayed– Lower peak concentrationLower peak concentration– Delayed time to peak Delayed time to peak
concentrationconcentration Overall amount Overall amount
absorbed absorbed (bioavailability) is (bioavailability) is unchangedunchanged
Hepatic First-Pass Hepatic First-Pass MetabolismMetabolism
For drugs with extensive first-pass For drugs with extensive first-pass metabolism, bioavailability may metabolism, bioavailability may increase because less drug is increase because less drug is extracted by the liverextracted by the liver– Decreased liver massDecreased liver mass– Decreased liver blood flowDecreased liver blood flow
Factors Affecting AbsorptionFactors Affecting Absorption
Route of administrationRoute of administration What it taken with the drugWhat it taken with the drug
– Divalent cations (Ca, Mg, Fe)Divalent cations (Ca, Mg, Fe)– Food, enteral feedingsFood, enteral feedings– Drugs that influence gastric pHDrugs that influence gastric pH– Drugs that promote or delay GI motilityDrugs that promote or delay GI motility
Comorbid conditionsComorbid conditions Increased GI pHIncreased GI pH Decreased gastric emptyingDecreased gastric emptying DysphagiaDysphagia
Effects of Aging on Volume of Effects of Aging on Volume of Distribution (Vd)Distribution (Vd)
Aging EffectAging Effect Vd EffectVd Effect ExamplesExamples body waterbody water Vd for Vd for
hydrophilic drugshydrophilic drugsethanol, lithiumethanol, lithium
lean body masslean body mass Vd for for drugs Vd for for drugs that bind to that bind to musclemuscle
digoxindigoxin
fat storesfat stores Vd for lipophilic Vd for lipophilic drugsdrugs
diazepam, trazodonediazepam, trazodone
plasma protein plasma protein (albumin)(albumin)
% of unbound % of unbound or free drug or free drug (active)(active)
diazepam, valproic diazepam, valproic acid, phenytoin, acid, phenytoin, warfarinwarfarin
plasma protein plasma protein
((11-acid -acid glycoprotein)glycoprotein)
% of unbound % of unbound or free drug or free drug (active)(active)
quinidine, propranolol, quinidine, propranolol, erythromycin, erythromycin, amitriptylineamitriptyline
Aging Effects on Hepatic Aging Effects on Hepatic MetabolismMetabolism
Metabolic clearance of drugs by the Metabolic clearance of drugs by the liver may be reduced due to:liver may be reduced due to:– decreased hepatic blood flowdecreased hepatic blood flow– decreased liver size and massdecreased liver size and mass
ExamplesExamples: morphine, meperidine, : morphine, meperidine, metoprolol, propranolol, verapamil, metoprolol, propranolol, verapamil, amitryptyline, nortriptylineamitryptyline, nortriptyline
Metabolic PathwaysMetabolic Pathways
PathwayPathway EffectEffect ExamplesExamples
Phase IPhase I: oxidation, : oxidation, hydroxylation, hydroxylation, dealkylation, dealkylation, reductionreduction
Conversion to Conversion to metabolites of metabolites of lesser, equal, or lesser, equal, or greatergreater
diazepam, diazepam, quinidine, quinidine, piroxicam, piroxicam, theophyllinetheophylline
Phase IIPhase II: : glucuronidation, glucuronidation, conjugation, or conjugation, or acetylationacetylation
Conversion to Conversion to inactive inactive metabolitesmetabolites
lorazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, oxazepam, temazepamtemazepam
** NOTE: Medications undergoing Phase II hepatic metabolism are generally preferred in the elderly due to inactive metabolites (no accumulation)
Other Factors Affecting Drug Other Factors Affecting Drug MetabolismMetabolism
GenderGender Comorbid conditionsComorbid conditions SmokingSmoking DietDiet Drug interactionsDrug interactions RaceRace FrailtyFrailty
Concepts in Drug Concepts in Drug EliminationElimination
Half-lifeHalf-life– time for serum concentration of drug to time for serum concentration of drug to
decline by 50% (expressed in hours)decline by 50% (expressed in hours) ClearanceClearance
– volume of serum from which the drug is volume of serum from which the drug is removed per unit of time (mL/min or removed per unit of time (mL/min or L/hr)L/hr)
Reduced elimination Reduced elimination drug drug accumulation and toxicityaccumulation and toxicity
Effects of Aging on the Effects of Aging on the KidneyKidney
Decreased kidney sizeDecreased kidney size Decreased renal blood flowDecreased renal blood flow Decreased number of functional Decreased number of functional
nephronsnephrons Decreased tubular secretionDecreased tubular secretion Result: Result: glomerular filtration rate (GFR) glomerular filtration rate (GFR) Decreased drug clearanceDecreased drug clearance: atenolol, : atenolol,
gabapentin, H2 blockers, digoxin, gabapentin, H2 blockers, digoxin, allopurinol, quinolonesallopurinol, quinolones
Estimating GFR in the Estimating GFR in the ElderlyElderly
Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is used to Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is used to estimate glomerular rateestimate glomerular rate
Serum creatinine alone not accurate in the Serum creatinine alone not accurate in the elderlyelderly lean body mass lean body mass lower creatinine lower creatinine
productionproduction glomerular filtration rateglomerular filtration rate
Serum creatinine stays in normal range, Serum creatinine stays in normal range, masking change in creatinine clearancemasking change in creatinine clearance
Determining Creatinine Determining Creatinine ClearanceClearance
MeasureMeasure– Time consumingTime consuming– Requires 24 hr urine collectionRequires 24 hr urine collection
EstimateEstimate– Cockroft Gault equationCockroft Gault equation
(IBW in kg) x (140-age)(IBW in kg) x (140-age)------------------------------ x (0.85 for females)------------------------------ x (0.85 for females) 72 x (Scr in mg/dL)72 x (Scr in mg/dL)
Example: Creatinine Example: Creatinine Clearance vs. Age in a 5’5”, Clearance vs. Age in a 5’5”,
55 kg Woman55 kg Woman
30301.11.19090
41411.11.17070
53531.11.15050
65651.11.13030
CrClCrClScrScrAgeAge
Limitations in Estimating Limitations in Estimating CrClCrCl
Not all persons experience significant Not all persons experience significant age-related decline in renal functionage-related decline in renal function
Some patient’s muscle mass is Some patient’s muscle mass is reduced beyond that of normal agingreduced beyond that of normal aging– Suggest using 1 mg/dL if serum creatinine Suggest using 1 mg/dL if serum creatinine
is less than normal (<0.7 mg/dL)is less than normal (<0.7 mg/dL)– Not precise, may underestimate actual Not precise, may underestimate actual
CrClCrCl
Pharmacodynamics (PD)Pharmacodynamics (PD)
Definition: the time course and intensity of Definition: the time course and intensity of pharmacologic effect of a drugpharmacologic effect of a drug
Age-related changes:Age-related changes: sensitivity to sedation and psychomotor sensitivity to sedation and psychomotor
impairment with impairment with benzodiazepinesbenzodiazepines level and duration of pain relief with level and duration of pain relief with narcotic narcotic
agentsagents drowsiness and lateral sway with drowsiness and lateral sway with alcoholalcohol HR response to HR response to beta-blockersbeta-blockers sensitivity to sensitivity to anti-cholinergic agentsanti-cholinergic agents cardiac sensitivity to cardiac sensitivity to digoxindigoxin
PK and PD SummaryPK and PD Summary
PK and PD changes generally result in PK and PD changes generally result in decreased clearance and increased decreased clearance and increased sensitivity to medications in older adultssensitivity to medications in older adults
Use of lower doses, longer intervals, Use of lower doses, longer intervals, slower titration are helpful in decreasing slower titration are helpful in decreasing the risk of drug intolerance and toxicitythe risk of drug intolerance and toxicity
Careful monitoring is necessary to Careful monitoring is necessary to ensure successful outcomesensure successful outcomes
Optimal PharmacotherapyOptimal Pharmacotherapy
Balance between overprescribing and Balance between overprescribing and underprescribingunderprescribing– Correct drugCorrect drug– Correct doseCorrect dose– Targets appropriate conditionTargets appropriate condition– Is appropriate for the patientIs appropriate for the patient
Avoid “a pill for every ill”Avoid “a pill for every ill”Always consider non-pharmacologic Always consider non-pharmacologic
therapytherapy
Consequences of Consequences of OverprescribingOverprescribing
Adverse drug events (ADEs)Adverse drug events (ADEs) Drug interactionsDrug interactions Duplication of drug therapyDuplication of drug therapy Decreased quality of lifeDecreased quality of life Unnecessary costUnnecessary cost Medication non-adherenceMedication non-adherence
Adverse Drug Events (ADEs)Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) Responsible for 5-28% of Responsible for 5-28% of
acute geriatric hospital acute geriatric hospital admissionsadmissions
Greater than 95% of ADEs Greater than 95% of ADEs in the elderly are in the elderly are considered predictable considered predictable and approximately 50% and approximately 50% are considered are considered preventablepreventable
Most errors occur at the Most errors occur at the ordering and monitoring ordering and monitoring stagesstages
Most Common Medications Most Common Medications Associated with ADEs in the Associated with ADEs in the
ElderlyElderly
Opioid analgesicsOpioid analgesics NSAIDsNSAIDs AnticholinergicsAnticholinergics BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines AlsoAlso: cardiovascular agents, CNS : cardiovascular agents, CNS
agents, and musculoskeletal agentsagents, and musculoskeletal agents
Adverse Drug Reaction Risk Factors in Older Outpatients. Am J Ger Pharmacotherapy 2003;1(2):82-89.Adverse Drug Reaction Risk Factors in Older Outpatients. Am J Ger Pharmacotherapy 2003;1(2):82-89.
The Beers CriteriaThe Beers Criteria
High Potential for High Potential for
Severe ADESevere ADEHigh Potential for High Potential for
Less Severe ADELess Severe ADE
amitriptylineamitriptyline
chlorpropamidechlorpropamide
digoxin >0.125mg/ddigoxin >0.125mg/d
disopyramidedisopyramide
GI antispasmodicsGI antispasmodics
meperidinemeperidine
methyldopamethyldopa
pentazocinepentazocine
ticlopidineticlopidine
antihistamines antihistamines
diphenhydraminediphenhydramine
dipyridamoledipyridamole
ergot mesyloidsergot mesyloids
indomethacinindomethacin
muscle relaxantsmuscle relaxants
Patient Risk Factors for Patient Risk Factors for ADEsADEs
PolypharmacyPolypharmacy Multiple co-morbid conditionsMultiple co-morbid conditions Prior adverse drug eventPrior adverse drug event Low body weight or body mass indexLow body weight or body mass index Age > 85 yearsAge > 85 years Estimated CrCl <50 mL/minEstimated CrCl <50 mL/min
Prescribing CascadePrescribing Cascade
Drug 1
ADE interpreted as new medical condition
Drug 2
ADE interpreted as new medical condition
Drug 3
Rochon PA, Gurwitz JH. Optimizing drug treatment in elderly people: the prescribing cascase. BMJ 1997;315:1097.
Drug-Drug Interactions Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs)(DDIs)
May lead to adverse drug eventsMay lead to adverse drug events Likelihood Likelihood as number of medications as number of medications Most common DDIs:Most common DDIs:
– cardiovascular drugscardiovascular drugs– psychotropic drugspsychotropic drugs
Most common drug interaction effects:Most common drug interaction effects:– confusion confusion – cognitive impairmentcognitive impairment– hypotensionhypotension– acute renal failureacute renal failure
Concepts in Drug-Drug Concepts in Drug-Drug InteractionsInteractions
Absorption may be Absorption may be or or Drugs with similar effects can result Drugs with similar effects can result
additive effectsadditive effects Drugs with opposite effects can Drugs with opposite effects can
antagonize each otherantagonize each other Drug metabolism may be inhibited or Drug metabolism may be inhibited or
inducedinduced
Common Drug-Drug Common Drug-Drug InteractionsInteractions
CombinationCombination RiskRiskACE inhibitor + potassiumACE inhibitor + potassium HyperkalemiaHyperkalemia
ACE inhibitor + K sparing diureticACE inhibitor + K sparing diuretic Hyperkalemia, hypotensionHyperkalemia, hypotension
Digoxin + antiarrhythmicDigoxin + antiarrhythmic Bradycardia, arrhythmiaBradycardia, arrhythmia
Digoxin + diureticDigoxin + diuretic
Antiarrhythmic + diureticAntiarrhythmic + diureticElectrolyte imbalance; arrhythmiaElectrolyte imbalance; arrhythmia
Diuretic + diureticDiuretic + diuretic Electrolyte imbalance; Electrolyte imbalance; dehydrationdehydration
Benzodiazepine + antidepressantBenzodiazepine + antidepressant
Benzodiazepine + antipsychoticBenzodiazepine + antipsychoticSedation; confusion; fallsSedation; confusion; falls
CCB/nitrate/vasodilator/diureticCCB/nitrate/vasodilator/diuretic Hypotension Hypotension
Doucet J, Chassagne P, Trivalle C, et al. Drug-drug interactions related to hospital admissions in older adults: a prospective study of 1000 patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 1996;44(9):944-948.
Drug-Disease InteractionsDrug-Disease Interactions
Obesity alters Vd of lipophilic drugsObesity alters Vd of lipophilic drugs Ascites alters Vd of hydrophilic drugsAscites alters Vd of hydrophilic drugs Dementia may Dementia may sensitivity, induce sensitivity, induce
paradoxical reactions to drugs with CNS paradoxical reactions to drugs with CNS or anticholinergic activityor anticholinergic activity
Renal or hepatic impairment may impair Renal or hepatic impairment may impair metabolism and excretions of drugsmetabolism and excretions of drugs
Drugs may exacerbate a medical Drugs may exacerbate a medical conditioncondition
Common Drug-Disease Common Drug-Disease InteractionsInteractions
CombinationCombination RiskRisk
NSAIDs + CHFNSAIDs + CHF
Thiazolidinediones + CHFThiazolidinediones + CHFFluid retention; CHF exacerbationFluid retention; CHF exacerbation
BPH + anticholinergicsBPH + anticholinergics Urinary retentionUrinary retention
CCB + constipationCCB + constipation
Narcotics + constipationNarcotics + constipation
Anticholinergics + constipationAnticholinergics + constipation
Exacerbation of constipationExacerbation of constipation
Metformin + CHFMetformin + CHF Hypoxia; increased risk of lactic Hypoxia; increased risk of lactic acidosisacidosis
NSAIDs + gastropathyNSAIDs + gastropathy Increased ulcer and bleeding riskIncreased ulcer and bleeding risk
NSAIDs + HTNNSAIDs + HTN Fluid retention; decreased Fluid retention; decreased effectiveness of diureticseffectiveness of diuretics
Principles of Prescribing in the Principles of Prescribing in the ElderlyElderly
Avoid prescribing prior to diagnosisAvoid prescribing prior to diagnosis Start with a low dose and titrate Start with a low dose and titrate
slowlyslowly Avoid starting 2 agents at the same Avoid starting 2 agents at the same
timetime Reach therapeutic dose before Reach therapeutic dose before
switching or adding agentsswitching or adding agents Consider non-pharmacologic agentsConsider non-pharmacologic agents
Prescribing AppropriatelyPrescribing Appropriately Determine therapeutic endpoints and plan for Determine therapeutic endpoints and plan for
assessmentassessment Consider risk vs. benefitConsider risk vs. benefit Avoid prescribing to treat side effect of another Avoid prescribing to treat side effect of another
drugdrug Use 1 medication to treat 2 conditionsUse 1 medication to treat 2 conditions Consider drug-drug and drug-disease interactionsConsider drug-drug and drug-disease interactions Use simplest regimen possibleUse simplest regimen possible Adjust doses for renal and hepatic impairmentAdjust doses for renal and hepatic impairment Avoid therapeutic duplicationAvoid therapeutic duplication Use least expensive alternativeUse least expensive alternative
Preventing PolypharmacyPreventing Polypharmacy
Review medications regularly and Review medications regularly and each time a new medication started each time a new medication started or dose is changedor dose is changed
Maintain accurate medication Maintain accurate medication records (include vitamins, OTCs, and records (include vitamins, OTCs, and herbals)herbals)
““Brown-bag”Brown-bag”
Non-AdherenceNon-Adherence
Rate may be as high as 50% in the Rate may be as high as 50% in the elderlyelderly
Factors in non-adherenceFactors in non-adherence– Financial, cognitive, or functional statusFinancial, cognitive, or functional status– Beliefs and understanding about disease Beliefs and understanding about disease
and medicationsand medications
Enhancing Medication Enhancing Medication AdherenceAdherence
Avoid newer, more expensive Avoid newer, more expensive medications that are not shown to be medications that are not shown to be superior to less expensive generic superior to less expensive generic alternativesalternatives
Simplify the regimenSimplify the regimen Utilize pill organizers or drug calendarsUtilize pill organizers or drug calendars Educate patient on medication purpose, Educate patient on medication purpose,
benefits, safety, and potential ADEsbenefits, safety, and potential ADEs
SummarySummary
Successful pharmacotherapy means Successful pharmacotherapy means using the correct drug at the correct using the correct drug at the correct dose for the correct indication in an dose for the correct indication in an individual patientindividual patient
Age alters PK and PDAge alters PK and PD ADEs are common among the elderlyADEs are common among the elderly Risk of ADEs can be minimized by Risk of ADEs can be minimized by
appropriate prescribingappropriate prescribing
Case 1Case 1
A 73 y/o woman is seen for a routine visit:A 73 y/o woman is seen for a routine visit:
• Blood pressure is 134/84 mmHg and HgbA1c is 8.1%Blood pressure is 134/84 mmHg and HgbA1c is 8.1%
• Metformin is increased to 500mg bid and other daily Metformin is increased to 500mg bid and other daily medications are continued: amlodipine 5mg qd, medications are continued: amlodipine 5mg qd, timolol ophthalmic 1 drop ou bid, aspirin 81mg qd, timolol ophthalmic 1 drop ou bid, aspirin 81mg qd, and calcium citrate 500mg qdand calcium citrate 500mg qd
• At 6 month follow-up, blood pressure is 130/82 At 6 month follow-up, blood pressure is 130/82 mmHg, finger stick BS is 93 mg/dL, and HgbA1c is mmHg, finger stick BS is 93 mg/dL, and HgbA1c is 9.2%9.2%
Case 1Case 1
Which of the following is the most Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the increase in likely explanation for the increase in HgA1c?HgA1c?
• Incorrect choice of antidiabetic medicationIncorrect choice of antidiabetic medication• Inadequate dose of antidiabetic medicationInadequate dose of antidiabetic medication• Long-term non-adherence with medicationLong-term non-adherence with medication• Altered pharmacokineticsAltered pharmacokinetics• Altered drug absorptionAltered drug absorption
Case 1Case 1
Which of the following is the most Which of the following is the most likely explanation for the increase in likely explanation for the increase in HgA1c?HgA1c?
• Incorrect choice of antidiabetic medicationIncorrect choice of antidiabetic medication• Inadequate dose of antidiabetic medicationInadequate dose of antidiabetic medication• Long-term non-adherence with medicationLong-term non-adherence with medication• Altered pharmacokineticsAltered pharmacokinetics• Altered drug absorptionAltered drug absorption
Case 2Case 2
A 68 y/o woman has a hx of Parkinson’s A 68 y/o woman has a hx of Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, and disease, hypertension, and osteoarthritisosteoarthritis
• Daily medications are carbidopa 25mg/levodopa Daily medications are carbidopa 25mg/levodopa 100mg tid, selegiline 5mg bid, losartan 50mg, 100mg tid, selegiline 5mg bid, losartan 50mg, celecoxib 200mg qd, and MVI qdcelecoxib 200mg qd, and MVI qd
• In the past 3 weeks, she has taken diphenhydramine In the past 3 weeks, she has taken diphenhydramine at bedtime for insomniaat bedtime for insomnia
• The patient now reports the onset of urinary The patient now reports the onset of urinary incontinenceincontinence
Case 2Case 2
Which of the following is the most Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention?appropriate intervention?
• Discontinue celecoxibDiscontinue celecoxib• Discontinue diphenhydramineDiscontinue diphenhydramine• Discontinue losartanDiscontinue losartan• Substitute fosinopril for losartanSubstitute fosinopril for losartan• Begin tolterodineBegin tolterodine
Case 2Case 2
Which of the following is the most Which of the following is the most appropriate intervention?appropriate intervention?
• Discontinue celecoxibDiscontinue celecoxib• Discontinue diphenhydramineDiscontinue diphenhydramine• Discontinue losartanDiscontinue losartan• Substitute fosinopril for losartanSubstitute fosinopril for losartan• Begin tolterodineBegin tolterodine
Case 3Case 3
An 83 y/o woman is brought to the ER An 83 y/o woman is brought to the ER because of dizziness on standing, because of dizziness on standing, followed by brief LOC; the patient now followed by brief LOC; the patient now feels wellfeels well
• She has hypertension but is otherwise healthyShe has hypertension but is otherwise healthy
• Daily medications: metoprolol 50mg/d, captopril 25 Daily medications: metoprolol 50mg/d, captopril 25 mg/d, and nitroglycerin 0.4mg SL prnmg/d, and nitroglycerin 0.4mg SL prn
• BP is 130/70 mmHg sitting and 100/60 standing; PE is BP is 130/70 mmHg sitting and 100/60 standing; PE is otherwise normal; CBC, BUN, ECG, CMP are all normalotherwise normal; CBC, BUN, ECG, CMP are all normal
Case 3Case 3
Which of the following is the most Which of the following is the most likely cause of this syncopal episode?likely cause of this syncopal episode?
• SepsisSepsis• Drug-related eventDrug-related event• Hypovolemic hypotensive episodeHypovolemic hypotensive episode• Cardiogenic shockCardiogenic shock• Unidentifiable causeUnidentifiable cause
Case 3Case 3
Which of the following is the most Which of the following is the most likely cause of this syncopal episode?likely cause of this syncopal episode?
• SepsisSepsis• Drug-related eventDrug-related event• Hypovolemic hypotensive episodeHypovolemic hypotensive episode• Cardiogenic shockCardiogenic shock• Unidentifiable causeUnidentifiable cause