Or so it would seem. According to a study just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine there is a huge disparity between patients’ expectations of angioplasty versus those of their cardiologists. While the majority of heart patients harbor the notion that angioplasty, a procedure performed to unblock clogged arteries, will cut their risk of heart attacks and death, cardiologists believe that its value is limited to reducing chest pain.
The research involved 27 cardiologists and 153 patients who consented to elective coronary catheterization and possible angioplasty, from Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston.
During angioplasty, a tube is inserted at the groin and snaked up to the affected artery, where a balloon opens the blockage. A stent is often left in place to help prop open the artery and maintain blood flow. Angioplasty involves some risk but the rate of death during the procedure is less than 1 percent, experts note.
Although 63% of cardiologists believed that the benefits of angioplasty were limited to angina symptom relief:
- 88% of patients believe that angioplasty would prevent heart attacks or fatal heart attacks
- 74% of patients thought that without the procedure they would probably have a heart attack within 5 years
Furthermore, most patients stuck to their beliefs even after spending time with a cardiologist who explained the risks and benefits to them, and had them sign an informed consent form prior to the angioplasty.
The authors of the study noted that the benefits obtained by angioplasty can often be achieved with medication alone, and only patients who are actually having a heart attack or coronary event can expect a reduced risk of future heart attacks and death from angioplasty.
The number of angioplasties done for stable heart patients has decreased lately. According to the American Heart Association, about 1.3 million such procedures are done in the United States each year.
Once again, this study highlights the “disconnect” between what doctors know and what patients understand. In order to have real informed consent, patients have to understand not just the risks, but also the benefits of whatever treatment is proposed.
One reason for patients’ misunderstanding is the common belief, that if a treatment is offered, it must have curative benefits.
However, the problem of patient understanding isn’t limited to angioplasty but is common in many areas of medicine. According to a previous study from the Mayo Clinic, doctors don’t always do a good job of knowledge transfer in a way that patients and family members can understand. Graphs and charts are not going to work for many patients.
SRxA and our team of problem based learning expert Advisors can help physicians, institutions and device manufacturers produce patient-centric materials to assist with informed consent. Contact us today to find out more.
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