The elderly tolerate arteriography and arterial interventions as well as younger patients, according to findings from a small study.

The elderly tolerate arteriography and arterial interventions as well as younger patients, according to findings from a small study.

Data were collected on procedures and complications from 269 patients undergoing outpatient diagnostic arteriography, arterial angioplasty or arterial stent. Target areas were renovascular, supraaortic and lower extremity.

Dr George Hartnell, chief of cardiovascular and interventional radiology at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass, presented the findings at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. He compared outcomes in the patients aged from 85 to 93 years with those of the younger patients - 50 to 79 years of age - who underwent an equivalent procedure.

He reported that complications amongst the 64 older patients included one false aneurysm which required treatment and three late hematomas which did not. None of the patients were admitted with complications.

There were two admissions amongst the remaining 205 patients, one for a large hematoma and the other for worsening ischemia. Three late hematomas were reported, none of which required treatment.

Dr Hartnell concluded: "Diagnostic arteriography and arterial interventions can be safely performed on octogenarians as outpatient procedures, even without the routine use of closure devices."

He added: "What is an appropriate treatment at 55 is just as safe and appropriate at 85.... Age did not increase the risk."