Frequency and morbidity of invasive procedures: report of a pilot study from two teaching hospitals

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Abstract
The medical services of 2 teaching hospitals were assessed for the frequency of and complications from invasive procedures. There were 231 procedures performed on 303 patients. The frequency of procedures was significantly higher at 1 hospital (62 vs. 39%, P < .01). In 20 cases 29 complications occurred: 14% of patients who underwent procedures had at least 1 complication. Left-sided cardiac catheterization was the most common procedure. Procedures with more than 1 complication included left-sided cardiac catheterization (18% probability of complication), arteriovenous shunt (60%), thoracocentesis (19%), bronchoscopy (25%), and percutaneous liver biopsy (8%). While no permanent damage or deaths were observed, over 3/4 of the complications required specific therapy and or prolonged hospitalization. Invasive procedures apparently are common and carry appreciable risks of serious complications. Appropriate clinical decision making and medical-legal protection require accurate estimates of those risks.

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