Prior information to patients concerning the risks associated with intravenous injection of contrast media for diagnostic imaging is rarely performed in France.
Purpose: Evaluate patients' desire for information about risks of intravenous injection of contrast material and its impact on their level of confidence.
Material and methods: Two hundred and twenty seven adult patients, while awaiting a CT scan with injection, read an information form reviewing the risks associated with intravenous injection of contrast material. They filled out an answer sheath concerning their desire to be informed and the impact of that information on their level of confidence. Two levels of risk were evaluated, one where the risk of death was included and one where the risk of death was not included.
Results: Eighty six percent of patients wished to be informed about the risks; eleven per cent felt they became more anxious after being informed, irrespective of the mention or not of the risk of death.
Conclusion: Patients wish to be informed about the risks associated with the intravenous injection of contrast material. This information seems to create only mild anxiety.