SEDATION AND PATIENT MONITORING IN VASCULAR AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY

A postal survey of British and Irish interventional radiologists was c arried out in 1991 in order to assess current practice with respect to sedation and monitoring of patients during angiography and interventi onal procedures. The response rate was 65%. 49% of patients are fasted prior to angiography and 68% prior to interventional procedures. Radi ologists participate in obtaining consent in 60% of cases. Patients ar e often (50%) sedated for angiography and usually (62 94% depending on the procedure) sedated for interventional procedures. Nurses are pres ent for most procedures, but are given the task of monitoring the pati ent's vital signs in only 49% of cases. Anaesthetists are present for less than 10% of interventional procedures. Pulse oximetry is used rou tinely in 20% of departments, and automatic blood pressure monitors in 16%. 28% of radiologists never administer oxygen to patients under se dation, whereas 4% always do. 43% of departments have a staffed recove ry area. Most vascular/interventional suites are stocked with emergenc y drugs and 80% with a defibrillator. 28% of departments report at lea st one death during or shortly after a procedure during the last 10 ye ars. 18% of interventional radiologists have taken a refresher course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the past year. These findings indi cate a wide variation in practice and a need to standardize practice a t a uniform high level.