A 57 -year-old corporate executive comes to the emergency department with an ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. He receives thrombolytics but has persistent chest pain, worsening left ventricular function, and a new S3 gallop. The patient asks you about the risks and benefits of angioplasty. You tell him he could have a hematoma or a coronary rupture as an adverse effect of the angioplasty balloon. You tell him that the benefit will be that it stops the chest pain. He opts for further medical management without angioplasty because of fear of adverse effects. He dies and his estate sues you.
What will be the most likely outcome?
a. You win because you fully informed him of the adverse effects of the procedure.
b. You win because he refused the treatment offered.
c. You lose because patients cannot refuse lifesaving therapy.
d. You lose because you should have done the angioplasty before the thrombolytics.
e. You lose because you did not inform the patient of the serious consequences of forgoing angioplasty.