Impact of Anxiety on Patients Referred for Transesophageal Echocardiography

In this issue of ABC Cardiovascular Imaging, anxiety is highlighted not only as a factor in the subjective assessment of patients’ experiences during invasive medical procedures (transesophageal echocardiography, TEE) but also for its influence on the amount of sedative drugs administered during the procedure.

The study The Impact of Anxiety on Patients Referred for Transesophageal Echocardiography, conducted at a tertiary institution, provides a detailed analysis of multiple characteristics of patients undergoing the exam, its influence on sedation, and revisits important aspects of good medical practice. The study results indicate that anxiety, assessed using easily implemented indicators, was present in 62% of patients. Self-assessment tables show mild anxiety in 40%, moderate anxiety in 16%, and severe anxiety in 6%. It is part of the experience of echocardiographers performing transesophageal exams to deal with patient anxiety, especially among younger individuals.^,

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