Relaxation Music to Lower Heart Rate Prior to Cardiac CT

Overview

To acquire low radiation dose and good quality cardiac CT images requires scanning at low heart rates which is usually done with beta-blockers. However, in some patients beta-blockers have little effect. This is thought to be due to a different mechanism of action which continues to maintain the heart rate despite administration of beta-blockers. This study aims to look at the effect of music or relaxation tracks to reduce patient heart rate as anxiety is thought to play a role in maintaining high heart rates. This study will randomise patients into a normal standard of care group compared to a normal standard of care group with music/ relaxation track and compare heart rate, radiation dose, image quality, amount of beta-blocker used and patient experience via a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire.

Conditions