PRIORITIZING THE CARDIAC-SURGERY WAITING LIST - THE ANGINA PATIENTS PERSPECTIVE

Objective-To determine patients' views on how clinical and demographic factors should affect priorities for cardiac revascularisation. Desig n-A descriptive survey of patients) views conducted immediately after angiography and treatment counselling. Subjects-136 patients who were awaiting coronary angioplasty in either of the two regional cardiology centres in Northern Ireland. Results-About half the subjects (52%) fe lt that certain social factors such as having dependent relatives shou ld be taken into account when deciding priority for surgery. A sizeabl e minority felt that younger subjects and non-smokers (40% and 44%, re spectively) should be accorded higher priority, with older subjects an d smokers being more likely to hold such views. Conclusions-While ther e is little evidence that demographic and Lifestyle factors affect the relative efficacy of surgery, the challenge remains to devise a prior itisation guideline that can properly reflect societal values and the evidence base.