Reporting on reports--cardiological intervention in elderly patients.

We asked consultant cardiologists and geriatricians in the Trent Region to assess the change in attitude towards cardiological investigations in the elderly over the last five years. We then reviewed data from three cardiothoracic centres to see if this change was reflected in the number of invasive cardiological procedures performed. The consultants' opinion that more elderly patients are being referred for and receiving more investigations and treatment was reflected in a disproportionate increase in cardiac catheterisations and revascularisation procedures in the elderly between 1990 and 1993. There is little to suggest that these changes came about as the result of the College report on cardiological intervention in elderly patients.