3-10. POSITION OF PATIENT
a. Position of Patient During Injection of the Contrast Medium.
(1) The position is determined by the examiner. The decision will be
influenced by the nature or type of examination, the condition of the patient, the
preferred methodology of the examiner, the nature and extent of any existent or
suspected pathology and/or anomaly, and the degree of adaptability of the available
equipment.
(2) Before starting the procedure, the examiner tells the specialist whether
the patient is to be placed in the supine, prone, sitting, standing, or lateral (right or left)
decubitus position for the injection. Strict attention on the part of the specialist
concerning this point cannot be overstressed. The technique is exacting and demands
perfect coordination and timing; following the injection, there is only a very short interval
in which to maneuver the necessary equipment into place, adjust controls, and (if
necessary) change the position of the patient or part for the exposure.
(3) In some instances, angiographic examinations have to be conducted
without a preplanned or set routine. The specialist must be constantly on the alert as
the examiner will give impromptu or "on-the-spot" directions.
b. Position of the Patient During Exposure of Angiograms. The examiner
may have the patient remain positioned as for the injection procedure or he may have
him placed in a different position for the radiography.
3-11. SITE OF INJECTION
a. The site of injection is selected by the examiner. The site selection will
depend upon such factors as the specific portion of the blood channels under
examination, the existent or suspected pathology, the type of procedure, and the
preference of the examiner.
b. If possible, the position of the patient should be oriented so that the site of
injection will be same as the working side of the table.
c. If the venous channels of an extremity are injected, the position of the film,
with respect to the part, should be adjusted so that maximal coverage will be obtained
of those structures that lie distal to the injection site.
MD0959
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