The lifetime risk of incident hypertension is approximately 90%. Hypertension is the most important cardiovascular risk factor, and is readily modifiable. Hypertension can cause end-organ damage and consequently contribute to multiple comorbidities and complexity of treatment for the elderly. Elderly people have reduced physiological and psychological capacities, increased vulnerability to various stresses, and the adverse effects of frailty. When treating hypertension in the elderly, complete and systemic assessments should be performed before starting any medication. Interventions should always consider the balance between their advantages and potential drawbacks. In this review, we examined the existing evidence regarding damage to vital organs and the state of frailty in elderly patients with hypertension.
This short communication presents an audit of anesthetic gas usage at National Taiwan University Hospital from 2018 to 2023. Using descriptive statistics and trend analysis, the data reveals trends in the consumption of sevoflurane and desflurane, associated costs, and their corresponding carbon emissions. A significant decrease in desflurane usage contributed to a 42.4% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions per general anesthesia case from 2018 to 2023. The findings underscore the importance of sustainable practices in anesthesia to align with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.