Key result
Long waiting times for coronary angiography, averaging 261 days in the UK and 60 days in Canada, may contribute to adverse lifestyle, work, and social changes for patients with chest pain.
Why the study?
Coronary angiography often shows normal coronary anatomy in 20% to 30% of patients with chest pain, and non-organic factors contributing to symptoms are frequently overlooked.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Addressing patient concerns may ease angiography-related symptoms; leaves open whether shorter waits avert social harm in normal-angiogram cases.
Coronary angiography is often necessary for patients with chest pain, but 20% to 30% of examinations show normal anatomy.1 The use of angiography itself can contribute to symptoms in these patients, and non-organic factors are often overlooked. Providing a diagnosis may be less important than addressing a patient's concerns and fears. Potentially irrevocable changes in social circumstances may occur while a patient is on a long waiting list. The mean waiting time from the general practitioner's referral to angiography was 261 days in the United Kingdom in 1994 and about 60 days in Canada in 1993. 2 3 These delays provide ample time for adverse changes in lifestyle, work patterns or even losing a job, restriction in social and leisure activity, and disruption of family life. Such changes are directly related to time on the waiting list for coronary bypass …
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Nijher et al. (2001) conducted an editorial in Chest pain with normal coronary anatomy. Coronary angiography waiting times was evaluated. Long waiting times for coronary angiography, averaging 261 days in the UK and 60 days in Canada, may contribute to adverse lifestyle, work, and social changes for patients with chest pain.
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