Gender disparity in timely access to computerised tomography coronary angiography

Abstract Introduction Computerised tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) provides rapid, non-invasive, low-risk coronary artery assessment. It is recommend by the ESC guidelines as a first-line tool for evaluating low-to-intermediate risk patients who present with troponin negative chest pain (Class 1B). For women aged under 55, who are considered to be of child bearing potential, radiation and contrast exposure pose risk to the unborn child and must be considered when ordering radiographic imaging. This adds complexity to CTCA scheduling. Purpose To determine whether the current practice of confirming pregnancy status at the time of placing a CTCA order impacts access. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive CTCA orders from January to December 2023 in a busy tertiary referral centre. All orders placed via out-patient (OPD) and acute chest pain (CP) pathway were included. Electronic medical records were reviewed to determine order pathway, waitlist time and last menstrual period (LMP) status. Patients awaiting scan at the time of data collection had their total waitlist time included in the analysis. Analysis was preformed using Kruskal-Wallis chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. A p-value