Preprocedural concerns and anxiety assessment in patients undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions
Received 24 April 2009; received in revised form 31 August 2009; accepted 15 September 2009. published online 21 October 2009.
Abstract
Background
Patients with anxiety prior to coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), may have negative physical and psychological consequences.
Aim
To identify patients factors associated with anxiety and assess the validity of the Faces Anxiety Scale (FAS) in this sample.
Methods
Patients (n=159) were surveyed preprocedure using the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and the FAS and asked to identify their major concern.
Results
The sample was aged an average 66.73years (sd 10.12) and predominantly male (72%). Anxiety was low to moderate (SAI mean 36.44, sd 11.23; FAS median 2, range 1–5). There was a moderate correlation between the SAI and the FAS (r=.521, p=<.001), with the FAS having low sensitivity (27%) and high specificity (95%). Patients' most common concern (37%) was uncertainty about the outcome from the procedure. Predictors of higher anxiety were taking medication for anxiety or depression (ß=5.84), experiencing angina (ß=4.96) or having a major concern about the procedural outcome (ß=4.00).
Conclusions
Many patients have moderate anxiety before coronary angiography and PCI; therefore, routine assessment and management of anxiety are justified. The FAS is not as useful as the SAI for this purpose.
ABSTRACT