Geriatric Heart Team
Multidisciplinary team specializing in cardiovascular care for elderly patients, integrating cardiology, geriatrics, and other relevant specialties.
Full Definition
The Geriatric Heart Team is a specialized multidisciplinary approach to cardiovascular care in elderly patients, typically consisting of cardiologists, geriatricians, cardiac surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers with expertise in aging-related issues. This team model recognizes that elderly cardiac patients often have complex comorbidities, functional limitations, cognitive issues, and social factors that require coordinated care beyond traditional cardiac interventions. The team emphasizes comprehensive assessment, shared decision-making, and individualized treatment plans that consider life expectancy, quality of life goals, and patient preferences in addition to cardiac pathology.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize when referring to formal institutional teams; lowercase for general concept.
In Context
- "The geriatric heart team recommended medical management over surgical intervention given the patient's frailty score." — Multidisciplinary conference note
- "Weekly geriatric heart team meetings ensure comprehensive care planning for complex elderly cardiac patients." — Quality improvement report