General Considerations

Abstract

This volume is based on the concept that a request for angiography (or other radiographic special procedures) is a request for consultation. Before seeing the patient in the afternoon or evening prior to any special procedure, the radiologist should first completely review the patient’s history, laboratory data, and any x-ray examinations previously performed in order to determine what sort of examination should be done and to anticipate any examinations, i.e., venography or venous sampling, that might be necessary in addition to arteriography. Special attention must also be given to factors directly related to the examination, specifically previous allergy history and coagulation studies, including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine.