[Development of collateral circulation in arterial occlusions in advanced age].

Plethysmographic course controls in 15 male patients at the age between 70 and 76.5 years showed that the maximum of the collateral blood supply in arteriosclerosis in the femoral region is reached 1-2 years at the latest after vascular occlusion. The peak-flow-values measured confirm the possibility of efficient collaterals also at older age. When there is a bad early compensation of the artery occlusions, we intended to test in time, whether or not a percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or a local thrombolysis are possible. Furthermore, in 100 male patients with arteriosclerotic disturbances of the blood supply of the legs the plethysmographic measurement of the reactive blood supply showed that the internationally usual haemodynamic subdivision into degrees of severity also concerns the age group between 60 and 75 years. With progressing Fontaine-stage a decrease of the reactive blood supply (first-flow, peak-flow) and an increase of the peak-flow-time were found.