Objectives Early and accurate diagnosis of peripheral atherosclerosis is of paramount importance for global managerment of patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD), especially in the elderly. We sought to evaluate the prevalence and clinical relevance of significant abdominal vessel stenosis or aneurysm (AVA) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Methods Medical records of consecutive ＞ 75-year old patients who underwent coronary angiography at two public institutions over a 12-month period were evaluated. Angiographic results of patients who underwent coincident diagnostic abdominal aorta angiography to evaluate abdominal vessels on the basis of clinical and angiographic criteria were analyzed. Results During the study period, AVA was found in 90 (35.7% ) of 252 consecutive patients (185 males, mean age 79±5.8 years), renal artery stenosis in 13.1% of cases (33 patients), aortoiliac artery disease in 13.7 % (35 patients), and aortic aneurismal disease in 8.9% (22 patients). Logistic regression analyses revealed ＞ 3-vessel CAD (odds ratio [OR] :9.917, P = 0.002), and ＞ 3 risk factors (OR: 2.8, P =0. 048) as independent predictors of AVA. Conclusions Aged patients with multivessel CAD frequently have a high risk profile and multiple vascular atherosclerotic distributions, suggesting the usefulness of a mere global and comprehensive cardiovascular approach in aged patients.

Objective Although congenital heart diseases are uncommon in the elderly, coronary artery anomalies may be incidentally discovered in old age. We sought to determine the incidence and clinical features of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) in patients over 65 years of age. Patients and methods Medical records of patients undergoing coronary artery angiography in the years 1997-2002 at the Legnago General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed, The clinical profiles of all patients with CAAs and CAA subtypes were noted. Comparison between patients under and over 65 was performed. Data are given as mean standard deviation and as percentages. Results Sixtysix patients (1.21%, Female/Male 22/44, mean age 65.3 ± 10.6 years) out of the 5450 who underwent coronary angiography in the years 1997-2002 had CAAs. In mast cases (63%, 41/66 patients), the patients were over 65.CAAs were discovered incidentally in these elderly patients while undergoing coronary artery angiography for dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, and valvular heart disease in 75% of the cases (30/41 patients). Patients over 65 had more cardiac comorbidities and .a higher incidence of coronary atherosclerosis. Conclusions The angiographic incidence of CAAs in elderly patients is increasing as the population ages and this occurrence calls for a wider knowledge of the anatomy and pathophysiology of CAAs among geriatric cardiologists. Elderly patients seem to present with lower risk coronary anomalies (separated origin of left anterior descending coronary artery and circanfflex artery, origin of circumflex artery from the right sinus or the right coronary artery, double coronary artery)but have a higher risk profile compared to younger patients due to the frequency of cardiac comorbidities and superimposed coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Background and objectives Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a major risk factor in candidates for cardiac surgery and can impact morbidity and mortality in the perioperative and follow-up period. Elderly patients with PVD may benefit from endovascular treatment prior to cardiac surgery. We sought to assess the common clinical settings requiring prophylactic endovascular treatment before coronary surgery in elderly patients, the results, and the mid-term impact on subsequent revascularization. Methods Between November 2002 and June 2006, 37 patients (25 males, mean age 79.9±8.3 years, mean serum creatinine 1.9±0.6 mg/dl) underwent endovascular repair of PVD before cardiac surgery. For each patient, diagnostic methods, indications for intervention, types of interventions, procedural success, and complications were recorded. Results Four clinical settings were identified: renal artery stenting prior to coronary surgery (7 patients), iliac artery angioplasty and stenting (10 patients) in order to facilitate aortic balloon pump insertion after surgery, subclavian artery angioplasty and stenting prior to utilization of ipsilateral arterial conduits bypass surgery (5patients), and carotid artery stenting before coronary surgery (15 patients). Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%);complications included brachial artery occlusion (1 patient), minor stroke (2 patients), contrast nephropathy (1 patient), and minor bleeding at the puncture site (3 patients). All patients underwent successful coronary or valvular surgery; no patients died in the perioperative period. After a mean follow-up of 26.6±3.1 months, all patients are alive and free from anginal symptoms or valvular dysfunction without clinical or Doppler ultrasonography evidence of restenosis of the implanted peripheral vascular stents. Conclusions It is not unusual for elderly patients who are candidates for cardiac surgery to require endovascular intervention for significant PVD prior to coronary bypass or valvular surgery. The results showed a low complication rate. The cardiologists have a fundamental role,not only in the diagnosis of peripheral vascular stenosis, which was seen frequently in patients with significant CAD, but also in the appropriate endovascular management of these high-risk patients.