Patients' views of cardiac computed tomography angiography compared with conventional coronary angiography

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has proven to be useful for noninvasive examination in patients with intermediate risk of coronary artery disease. However, data addressing patients' views of this relatively new diagnostic modality are sparse.

For comparison of CTA and invasive coronary angiography (CA), a total of 127 patients referred for CA for the suspicion of coronary artery disease were included in the study. Three months later the patients received a simple structured questionnaire addressing their views and preferences with regard to CTA versus CA.

A total of 122 of 127 patients agreed to participate in the study. Pain or bleeding at the puncture site the day after the procedure was significantly more prevalent after CA than CTA (pain, 53% vs 2%; bleeding, 75% vs 22%). More patients had to stay home from work after CA for at least 1 day, even when excluding patients who had an ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention: 44 of 95 (46%) versus 0 of 95 (0%). In general, 85% of the patients preferred CTA, and of the patients who underwent ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention, 59% would choose CTA as the initial diagnostic procedure.

The large majority of patients preferred CTA over conventional CA. This choice was most likely the result of less physical discomfort, fewer minor bleeding complications, and a higher rate of early return to work after CTA when compared with CA.