Patient education video allays fears over angiogram

Showing patients a short video about coronary angiography or angioplasty helps improve knowledge about the procedure and consequently alleviate their anxiety, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Asia Congress 2019 with Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC) and the Asean Federation of Cardiology (AFC).

Like any other medical invasive procedure, an angiogram induces stress and anxiety in patients. High levels of these psychological parameters may trigger changes in cardiovascular function, such as cardiac irritability, increased basal metabolic rate and increased blood pressure, and cause difficulties during the procedure and after hospitalization. [Pak J Med Sci 2009;25:901-905]

There is evidence showing patients benefiting from receiving information about invasive diagnostic-therapeutic procedures, particularly in the form of a video. In the current study, Dr Tse Yean Teo from the National Heart Centre in Singapore and his team evaluated the effectiveness of a digital patient education video in terms of improving knowledge and allaying fears over an angiogram.

A total of 332 consecutive patients (mean age, 59.1 years; 84.3 percent male) undergoing coronary angiography/angioplasty were randomly assigned to watch a 3-minute animated patient education video on a tablet device in addition to routine care (intervention; n=252) or receive routine care only (control; n=80).

All patients completed questionnaires before and after the intervention to assess their knowledge regarding the coronary procedure and anxiety levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]). Baseline data showed that compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly lower knowledge scores (p=0.022) but comparable STAI scores (p=0.323).

Watching the video had a favourable impact on knowledge and psychological status of the patients in the intervention vs control group (p≤0.001). There was a marked increase in knowledge scores (p≤0.001) and decrease in STAI scores (p≤0.001) from pre- to postintervention. [ESC Asia 2019, abstract P205]

In the subset of patients (n=131) who had previously undergone an angiogram, the video was also associated with significant improvements in knowledge and STAI scores (p<0.001).

Time limitations in busy clinical settings may impede precoronary angioplasty education and counselling, and the video can be a “useful adjunct to incorporate into existing workflows to improve patient care,” Teo said.