Bleeding / Embolization
When Is IR Discussion Reasonable for Bleeding / Embolization?
A concise clinician-facing triage reference for active bleeding, imaging target, hemodynamics, transfusion, anticoagulation, and embolization planning.
Quick answer
Bleeding / Embolization Triage
- IR discussion is reasonable when active bleeding has an imaging target or embolization question and local bleeding, surgery, ICU, or trauma pathways are active or being aligned.
- Hemodynamic stabilization, local hemorrhage pathway, imaging target, transfusion status, and procedural candidacy context usually come first or concurrent.
- Include vitals, transfusion, Hgb trend, anticoagulation, imaging target, suspected source, surgery/ICU/trauma involvement, and the decision IR can change.
IR discussion is reasonable when
Higher-Yield Consult Context
IR discussion is reasonable when active bleeding has an imaging target or embolization question and local bleeding, surgery, ICU, or trauma pathways are active or being aligned.
Workup or another service usually comes first when
Better First Step
Hemodynamic stabilization, local hemorrhage pathway, imaging target, transfusion status, and procedural candidacy context usually come first or concurrent.
Before You Consult
What to Include
Include vitals, transfusion, Hgb trend, anticoagulation, imaging target, suspected source, surgery/ICU/trauma involvement, and the decision IR can change.
Better consult question
Ask the Decision, Not Just the Diagnosis
Can IR help with ***? Current facts are ***. The local pathway or service already active is ***. The decision we need is ***.
Common pitfall
Low-Yield Framing
A low-yield message names the problem without the first-step data, local pathway status, or disposition-changing question.
FAQ
Clinician Questions
What is the fastest way to make this consult answerable?
State the clinical question, first steps already completed, relevant labs/imaging/exam findings, and the decision IR can change.
When should another pathway move first?
When local emergency, airway, trauma, surgery, ICU, infection, source-control, or procedural pathway applies, activate that pathway while specialty discussion proceeds as needed.
References
Educational tool only. SIC provides clinician-facing educational consult-triage references. SIC does not diagnose, treat, prevent, cure, or mitigate disease and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, local guidelines, institutional referral pathways, or recommendations from your interventional radiology department. See disclaimer and how SIC works.