The injured elderly in the trauma intensive care unit

Trauma in the elderly occurs with greater frequency as the population age d istribution shifts toward greater longevity of life. The elderly trauma pat ient in the ICU presents a pivotal challenge of modern medicine to the clin ician: to resolve what is possible, reasonable, and humane. This article re views differences between elderly and younger patients, with respect to inj ury patterns, response to injury, and challenges specific care poses. Treat ment modalites applicable to the elderly and factors related to decisions l imiting care also are discussed.