Current use of screening laboratory tests before abdominal interventions: a survey of 603 radiologists

Radiology. 1991 Dec;181(3):669-73. doi: 10.1148/radiology.181.3.1947079.

Abstract

A survey of 2,153 radiologists was conducted to assess both their current practices of evaluating hemostatic function and their use of blood tests before performing image-guided nonvascular abdominal interventions. Among the 603 (28%) who responded, more radiologists routinely perform prothrombin time (81%) or partial thromboplastin time (78%) tests than platelet counts (59%), and relatively few (7%) obtain bleeding times. The most common practice (51%) is to order all of the first three tests. Use of laboratory tests is quite common (greater than 75%) before biopsy of splenic masses, hemangiomas, or hepatomas and before all catheter insertions. These tests are used less frequently (less than or equal to 70%) before fine-needle procedures, including biopsy and cyst aspiration. Only one-third of the radiologists alter their evaluation in patients who have taken aspirin. Most respondents (64%) believe that there should be written guidelines on how to evaluate patients before interventional procedures. Virtually all (97%) thought such evaluation should be the radiologist's responsibility.

MeSH terms

  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Bleeding Time
  • Blood Coagulation Tests* / statistics & numerical data
  • Catheterization
  • Humans
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Radiography, Abdominal*
  • Radiology, Interventional*
  • Suction
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Aspirin