ABSTRACT
Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening medical emergency. The radiologist's role in the clinical management of patients with cardiac tamponade is usually minor and nearly always limited to the diagnostic process, and the condition is normally treated by other specialists. In this review, we aim to provide readers with the essential information to enable a complete diagnostic and therapeutic radiological approach. We emphasize US-guided percutaneous pericardial drainage; when performed correctly, this technique improves patients' symptoms immediately with minimal discomfort and a very low rate of complications.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Tamponade/diagnostic imaging , Cardiac Tamponade/physiopathology , Cardiac Tamponade/therapy , Drainage , Humans , RadiographySubject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology , Catheterization, Central Venous , Catheters, Indwelling , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/administration & dosage , Bone Density Conservation Agents/administration & dosage , Bone Neoplasms/diagnosis , Bone Neoplasms/drug therapy , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/diagnosis , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/drug therapy , Catheterization, Central Venous/instrumentation , Diphosphonates/administration & dosage , Drug Combinations , Female , Humans , Injections, Intravenous , Neoplasm InvasivenessABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The present study gathers information on the influence of a consent form for liver biopsy on the information and anxiety of patients. METHODS: The study had two phases, which included 30 patients each: before the consent form was started and the second once it was started. Two questionnaires were administered to every patient: one to evaluate the degree of patient's information, and the other to evaluate the patient's anxiety. RESULTS: Patients who received the consent form were more informed on the obtention (p < 0.001) and complications (p < 0.0001) of the biopsy, more satisfied with the information (p < 0.0001) and showed no increased anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: While apparently changes observed are not exclusively accounted for by consent form, this seems to be helpful and encouraging to improve patient's information.