title: Acceptance of noninvasive computed tomography coronary angiography: for a patient-friendly medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to evaluate the psychological state and anxiety of patients undergoing computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), and assess their acceptance and satisfaction compared to invasive conventional coronary angiography (CCA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 442 consecutive patients (282 male; mean age 57.7 ± 9.5 years) who underwent CTCA for suspected or known coronary artery disease were evaluated with the Endler Multimodality Anxiety Scales (EMAS) before and after the scan, and a questionnaire administered after the scan. Among the 442 patients, 181 had a history of CCA. Two radiologists assessed the image quality of CTCA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anxiety was more intense prior to the scan (EMAS score 51.7 vs. 46.7, p < 0.01) and in patients with a history of CCA (EMAS score 55.5 vs. 49.1, p < 0.01). Women presented more intense anxiety (EMAS score 59.5 vs. 47.3, p < 0.01), higher mean heart rate (63.5 ± 7.6 vs. 60.7 ± 7.3 beats per minute, p < 0.01) and a lower image quality than men (p < 0.0001). CTCA proved to be more acceptable than CCA because of accurate preparation, lower concern prior to the examination, negligible pain, higher comfort, and greater overall satisfaction (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computed tomography coronary angiography is a patient-friendly imaging method because of the minimal perceived discomfort. Anxiety may affect CTCA image quality in women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, DIBIMEF, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 127, 90127, Palermo, Italy, ludovicolagrutta@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Grutta
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Grutta
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galia
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lo Piccolo
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Tona
authors.forename: Maria Stella
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Epifanio
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cademartiri
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lo Baido
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagalla
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midiri
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol