Informed Consent for Cardiac Procedures: Deficiencies in Patient Comprehension With Current Methods

Patients undergoing catheterization and possible PCI have a poor understanding of the procedures and the attendant benefits/risks.  This study investigated the use of a standard consent process compared to a web-based audio-visual presentation.  Both processes resulted in similar improvements in patient comprehension, but the web-based process resulted in better comprehension of therapeutic alternatives.  Considerable misunderstandings persisted after both approaches.