[Angioradiology in geriatric patients]

The number of geriatric patients has increased in the last decade, as shown in diagnostic angiography and angioplasty. Therefore, the radiologist must be prepared for technical problems. Elderly patients need special premedication, care and also more time for each diagnostic and interventional procedure. In these patients, in several situations DSA can be done more efficiently as an inpatient procedure and not on an outpatient situation. Angioplasty of iliac and femoropopliteal injuries in this population is not only a means of treating claudicatio without high risk, but of also preventing amputation of the leg. Also, even though there are few long-term results, it is of interest that PTA can be done again at the same location. Therefore, early DSA is an important method of reducing the amount of high-risk surgery required. The radiologist must therefore realize that geriatric patients require special management and that excellent interdisciplinary cooperation is needed.