[Arteriography in old age--an assessment of the risks and technique (author's transl)].

Of 1,263 arteriograms performed over a period of two and a half years, there were 166 patients aged 70 years or more. The indications, angiographic findings and results have been examined retrospectively. In seven patients only was it impossible to carry out the examination because of advanced vascular disease in the pelvis. Most examinations could be performed as planned. In three patients there were minor complications without consequence. In one patient the external iliac artery was occluded following catheter angiography, but this was disobliterated during a subsequent operation which would have been carried out in case. The severity of vascular calcification as seen on plain films gives no indication regarding the difficulties during catheterisation. If aortography by catheter is impossible, we demonstrate the aorta retrogradely by a counter-current technique, using the Hettler instrument. The Hettler technique does not increase the risk and has certain advantages for the examination of older patients.