[Hemodynamic study of the elderly subject. Indications, risks and value]

The authors record all the hemodynamic evaluations realised on aged population above severity years during two years (549 patients) representing ten per cent of the whole investigations in an hemodynamic department. The greater part of the indications were severe coronaritis resistant to medical treatment (54 percent) with unstable angina or steady state angina, and valvulopathy (37 percent) with prevalence of symptomatic aortic stenosis. The catheterization incidents and accidents do not appear more owing to the high risk pathology and to the taken precautions. The lethal accident frequency is three point five per thousand little above the frequency in a general catheterized population (two per thousand). Seldinger difficulties are easily got over by using axillary passage in case of need. The surgical interest is underlined by the fact that sixty six percent of the investigated patients will be operated. The hemodynamic evaluation in aged population between 70 and 80 years is realizable in good conditions with little risk increase when it's necessary.