Peripheral Angiogram
Peripheral Angiogram is an interventional procedure that uses x-ray and contrast to identify any narrowing in the blood vessels or blockage in one or more arteries that supply blood to the lower extremity. (1) In this particular case, the patient had left leg ischemia and a few of his toes were amputated. The exam was being performed to check how severe the blockage was going down his leg, and if a possible angioplasty (balloon insertion) or stent placement was necessary to expand the portions of the arteries that are narrow. At my clinical site, this exam was performed by a radiologist in the OR using a C-arm while maintaining the sterile technique. Although the patient was awake during the procedure, some sedative was given to help relax
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Informed consent is given a great importance and steps are taken to make sure that the patient understands what to expect in the procedure and risks associated with it. Since in “many Canadian jurisdictions it is now a legal requirement that a consent form be completed before any surgical procedure is undertaken in a hospital.” (7) Similarly, for angiogram, the patient was brought in the OR and there was already a signed consent form in the room. It included the name of the radiologist performing the procedure and a patient information sheet prior to the exam which had a detailed explanation of the exam, and common and less common risks associated with it. It also stated what was expected of the patient before and after the exam. The consent form also had a section with the doctor’s signature and it stated that he had explained the patient all the information written in the patient information sheet and risks associated with the procedure and the iodinated contrast prior to the procedure. Once the patient is in the room, the radiologist comes in and as the informed consent link states that they engage in a conversation with the patient to get a verbal consent from them. To summarize, the consent process is very thorough and it ensures that a reasonable patient standard is upheld so that there are no “claims of negligence or allegations against the doctor/radiologist about the adequacy of the consent discussion with the patient.”
Informed consent is given a great importance and steps are taken to make sure that the patient understands what to expect in the procedure and risks associated with it. Since in “many Canadian jurisdictions it is now a legal requirement that a consent form be completed before any surgical procedure is undertaken in a hospital.” (7) Similarly, for angiogram, the patient was brought in the OR and there was already a signed consent form in the room. It included the name of the radiologist performing the procedure and a patient information sheet prior to the exam which had a detailed explanation of the exam, and common and less common risks associated with it. It also stated what was expected of the patient before and after the exam. The consent form also had a section with the doctor’s signature and it stated that he had explained the patient all the information written in the patient information sheet and risks associated with the procedure and the iodinated contrast prior to the procedure. Once the patient is in the room, the radiologist comes in and as the informed consent link states that they engage in a conversation with the patient to get a verbal consent from them. To summarize, the consent process is very thorough and it ensures that a reasonable patient standard is upheld so that there are no “claims of negligence or allegations against the doctor/radiologist about the adequacy of the consent discussion with the patient.”