Brachiocephalic vessels in the elderly: technique for catheterization.

Selective catheterization and angiography of brachiocephalic vessels in the elderly may be difficult because of tortuosity and unfolding of the thoracic aorta. Use of a special guide wire contributed to the successful performance of safe femorocerebral angiography with the Simmons sidewinder catheter in the 47 of 48 elderly patients in whom it was performed. All 47 had patent left subclavian arteries.