Vascular surgery methods for elderly patients. Elective interventions with reduced risk are possible
Raithel, D.
Fortschritte der Medizin 113(29): 409-412
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-8178 PMID: 7498871 Document Number: 447684
As in other areas, the percentage of elderly patients consulting the vascular surgeon is also on the increase. In recent years, our diagnostic possibilities have been expanded by non-invasive procedures (e. g. colour-coded duplex sonography, NMR angiography) and by improvements in intravascular imaging procedures. Early diagnosis makes it possible to perform interventions electively, which is of particular importance for minimizing risks in the geriatric patient. In the case of supra-aortic interventions (e.g. carotid reconstruction), surgical treatment of an aneurysm, and in venous occlusions, the indication for surgery in the elderly should not be applied too restrictively. For the treatment of arterial occlusions, a fundamental choice must be made between interventional (e.g. PTA) and surgical procedures. When peripheral arterial occlusive disease presents, conservative therapy should be applied for as long as is possible, since over the long term this can save many patients the need for surgery.