Surgery Safe for Seniors

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- They say age is just a number, right? Well, researchers say age really doesn’t matter when it comes to minimally invasive treatment of peripheral artery conditions!

According to a new study, when it comes to diagnostic angiography and arterial interventions -- such as vascular stenting and angioplasty -- people between the ages of 85 and 93 tolerate the procedures just as well as those between the ages of 50 and 79.

“This is important news for seniors and their doctors,” George G. Hartnell, chief of cardiovascular interventional radiology at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., was quoted as saying. “There’s no reason for seniors with leg pain caused by peripheral arterial disease to put up with pain, limited mobility and diminished quality of life. Likewise, treating blocked arteries can improve kidney function and treat high blood pressure if caused by diminished renal flow.”

It was previously thought the risk of the procedures went up with age and older seniors were too frail to have them. Furthermore, according to the report, some physicians -- including interventionalists and referring physicians -- incorrectly think octogenarians who do get the procedures need to be in the hospital.

“What is an appropriate treatment at 55 is just as safe and appropriate at 85,” Hartnell said. “Older seniors can be treated as outpatients. Age did not increase the risk.”

Hartnell says he believes this is very important because the incidence of clogged arteries increase with age. He adds that 12 percent to 20 percent of Americans over age 65 suffer from peripheral arterial disease.

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SOURCE: Presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington D.C., March 15-20, 2008