This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

•Sealed and numbered envelopes with pre-stated treatments (sham vs angioplasty) are opened upon initiation of selective venography

•Patients are consciously sedated using Fentanyl and Versed intravenously till they are no longer actively conversing, yet are easily arousable when spoken to.

•Relatively loud music of patients choice is played so that procedural conversation is inaudible

•The operating room staff is acutely aware of blinding requirements and has been trained to avoid any loud procedure related conversation
The X-ray shields are covered with opaque sterile covers to avoid glancing by patients

•The monitors are angled to avoid any incidental visualization by patient

•All patients receive a rigorous sternal rub (painful stimulus) upon insertion of angioplasty balloon regardless of inflation

•A blindness assessment survey is administered the following morning prior to discharge

How interesting! "A rigorous sternal rub" was done for all patients when the ballooning was done. Versed was used too. Loud music so the patient doesn't hear anything.

I read it wrong, it says the painful rub was when the balloon catheter was inserted, not when the ballooning would/wouldn't occur. I guess it's so that if the patient is semi-conscious, they remember some pain as part of the procedure.