Classifying complications of interventional procedures: a survey of practicing radiologists.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the variability of radiologists' classification of complications from interventional procedures.


METHODS
Fifteen test cases were selected from a database of morbidity and mortality cases that occurred in our department during the past 2 years. Ten cases were selected randomly, and five were chosen because of classification difficulties within our department. A survey with the case descriptions was presented to 145 SCVIR members via the World Wide Web and 48 were distributed to participants at a statewide angiography club meeting. Participants were asked to complete a short assessment of the their clinical background and to classify each case as "no complication," "minor complication," or "major complication."


RESULTS
Thirty-eight percent (74 of 193) of the surveys were completed. Seventy percent (52 of 74) of the respondents were affiliated with an academic program, 12% (nine of 74) were affiliated with private practice groups, and 18% (13 of 74) claimed both academic and private affiliation. The consensus rate in classifying the complications for the randomly selected cases varied from 50% to 95%, with a median of 69%, and the consensus rate in classifying the selected cases varied from 46% to 95%, with a median of 85%. The lowest consensus rates occurred when (i) a significant procedural event was followed by a normal outcome, (ii) when a procedure was aborted, and (iii) when a significant event occurred but did not prolong hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Current criteria for reporting complications are associated with moderate rates of disagreement among interventional radiologists.
Leoni
C J
CJ
Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. cleoni@uswest.net
Potter
J E
JE
Rosen
M P
MP
Brophy
D P
DP
Lang
E V
EV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011871:Radiology