[Cardiological methods in geriatrics].

A brief summary of a course in geriatric cardiology given to geriatric specialists is presented in the form of a review of cardiological methods applicable to the examination of the elderly, and the diagnosis of their heart diseases. Reference is made to the recent literature and work done at the University of Pavia with particular attention to "senile myocardiopathy" and "bundle-branch blocks and semiblocks in the elderly". The indications, modalities, meaning, and limits of non-invasive examinations are explained. Mention is also made of the usefulness of a study of His's bundle, cardiac catheterisation, and angiocardiography in selected cases, particularly when these are oriented towards therapeutic or rehabilitative management, bearing in mind the current tendency to enlarge the frontiers of heart surgery when the result will be to prolong or improve the quality of life, even in the elderly.