Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients with coronary artery disease and their families regarding coronary artery bypass grafting, multimodal imaging examinations, and postoperative daily management

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and their families regarding coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), multimodal imaging examinations, and postoperative daily management.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with CAD and their families between January and April 2025, at TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, using a self-designed, validated questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 512 (96.24%) valid responses were obtained. Among the participants, 338 (66.0%) were CAD patients and 174 (34.0%) were family members. A total of 322 (62.9%) participants were male, and 205 (40.0%) had undergone coronary stenting prior to the current hospitalization. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 6.26 ± 5.34 (range: 0–26), 28.89 ± 4.10 (range: 8–40), and 32.49 ± 6.23 (range: 10–50), respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that among patients, higher education, retirement/self-employment, higher income, prior MI hospitalization, and longer CAD duration (>3 years) were associated with better knowledge, which correlated with attitude. Among family members, higher income predicted better knowledge. Better practice was associated with attitude in patients and with attitude, knowledge, female sex, absence of hypertension, and prior MI in family members.

Conclusion:

Significant knowledge deficits and suboptimal practices were identified among CAD patients and their families regarding CABG and postoperative management, despite generally positive attitudes. Clinicians and radiologists should prioritize educational programs that address gaps in knowledge and emphasize the interplay between attitudes and practices to enhance postoperative management and long-term outcomes for CAD patients and their families.

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries (1). Among treatment strategies for CAD, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a widely recognized and effective approach for coronary artery revascularization (2). Effective self-management after CABG has a significant impact on improving patients' quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that appropriate self-management can lead to marked improvements in quality of life within 3–6 months post-surgery (3).

From a physiological perspective, the management of risk factors such as smoking cessation, weight control, and blood pressure regulation is critical for postoperative recovery. Poor management of these factors can delay improvements in quality of life. From a psychological perspective, maintaining a positive mental state is equally important, as a history of mental illness can adversely affect recovery (4).

Multimodal medical imaging plays a pivotal role in the CABG process, providing critical diagnostic and treatment information for clinicians. Multimodal imaging examinations can assist clinicians in decision-making by evaluating whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) benefits patients with coronary artery disease (5). In the postoperative follow-up phase, multimodal imaging provides complementary insights into patient recovery. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) remains essential for assessing graft patency and reconstructive adequacy (6, 7). Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) continue to evaluate myocardial perfusion (8), while cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) offers detailed assessments of ventricular function and myocardial viability (9), and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), a commonly used ultrasound technique, provides real-time evaluation of cardiac structure and function, which is essential in both preoperative assessment and postoperative monitoring (10).

The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) model postulates that individual behavior is shaped by one's knowledge and attitudes. In public health, the study of behavioral practices is often coupled with assessments of knowledge and risk perception, typically conducted through KAP surveys. This model provides a crucial framework for understanding health-related behaviors (11–13). Although the technical and medical aspects of CABG surgery have been extensively studied, limited research focuses on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients and their families regarding CABG. Exploring their expectations of surgery, understanding of multimodal imaging examinations, and attitudes toward postoperative management is essential. Recently (14), conducted a cross-sectional study among patients with coronary heart disease and found that most participants had limited understanding of CABG procedures and postoperative management, despite generally positive attitudes toward recovery. Such insights can inform tailored education and support plans, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of treatment. Illness, particularly CAD, presents challenges not only for patients but also for their families. The onset and progression of the disease profoundly alter the family system and the roles of its members. Consistently, a recent KAP investigation among coronary heart disease patients revealed considerable knowledge gaps regarding antithrombotic therapy, which hindered optimal treatment adherence (15).

This study, therefore, aims to assess the KAP of patients with CAD and their families regarding CABG, multimodal imaging examinations, and postoperative daily management.

Methods

Study design and participants

This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2025 at TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, focusing on patients with CAD and their family members. Inclusion Criteria: patients with CAD or family mumbers of patients with CAD, determined according to medical history. Eligible patients included those diagnosed with CAD who were scheduled for or had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and had completed routine multimodal imaging examinations such as echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as part of perioperative evaluation. No specific criteria were applied to family members; if a patient met the inclusion criteria, one or more family members could participate upon providing informed consent. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, and informed consent was secured from all participants.

Questionnaire design

The questionnaire was developed based on guidelines (16), refined through feedback from a senior expert, and piloted with a sample of 34 participants, achieving a Cronbach's α of 0.900. Administered in Chinese (a version translated into English was attached as Supplementary Data Sheet 1), the final questionnaire covered four key areas. The demographic information section collected data on variables such as age, gender, height, weight, residence, education level, employment status, monthly income, smoking and alcohol consumption habits, exercise patterns, family history of CAD, type of health insurance, and the presence of other medical conditions. Monthly household income per capita was categorized into six levels (<2,000, 2,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,001–20,000, >20,000, and prefer not to disclose). The cutoff of 2,000 CNY approximately corresponded to the minimum wage standard in China, while 5,000 CNY reflected the personal income tax exemption threshold during the study period, consistent with classifications adopted in recent socioeconomic and public health studies. Age was categorized into three groups (<45, 45–64, and ≥65 years) based on both clinical and epidemiological considerations reflecting the progression of cardiovascular risk across adulthood, corresponding roughly to younger adults (pre-middle age), middle-aged to older middle-aged adults, and elderly individuals. This stratification approach reflects the major life stages relevant to cardiovascular risk profiles and has been adopted in recent cross-sectional studies assessing health behavior and knowledge differences across age groups (17). In addition, subgroup analysis in this study showed distinct gradients in KAP scores across these age categories, supporting the rationality of this grouping. The knowledge dimension assessed participants' understanding of CAD and CABG concepts, perioperative examinations and their functions, as well as the safety and efficacy of CABG. The attitude dimension evaluated perceptions regarding the success rate, effectiveness, potential complications of CABG, the importance of imaging examinations, postoperative rehabilitation, quality of life improvements, and the necessity of follow-up care after surgery. The practice dimension focused on behaviors related to diet, exercise, smoking cessation, medication adherence, weight management, mental health, and regular medical check-ups.

The knowledge dimension included 13 questions scored as follows: “very knowledgeable” (2 points), “have heard of it” (1 point), and “not sure” (0 points), with a total possible score range of 0–26. The attitude dimension consisted of 8 questions rated on a five-point Likert scale from “strongly disagree” (1 point) to “strongly agree” (5 points), yielding a score range of 8–40. Similarly, the practice dimension comprised 10 questions rated on a five-point Likert scale from “never” (1 point) to “always” (5 points), with a total score range of 10–50. Participants who achieved scores above 70% of the maximum in each section were considered to have adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices (18).

Questionnaire distribution and quality control

Questionnaires were distributed through QR codes in the ultrasound and surgical outpatient and inpatient departments or provided as paper-based versions, using a convenience sampling approach. The internal consistency of the questionnaire, assessed in the main study, was satisfactory for both the overall scale and its subscales. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.8596, while the coefficients for the knowledge, attitude, and practice sections were 0.9364, 0.7176, and 0.7572, respectively. Content validity was evaluated by a panel of three specialists in cardiovascular medicine and medical education, who assessed the relevance, clarity, and comprehensiveness of each item. These specialists confirmed that all items were correctly formulated, clinically relevant, and aligned with the study objectives. Construct validity was further examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy for the entire scale was 0.9162, indicating strong suitability for factor analysis. The model demonstrated acceptable fit indices (χ²/df = 2.61, RMSEA = 0.072, CFI = 0.893, TLI = 0.882), indicating good overall construct validity. Although the RMSEA value slightly exceeded the conventional threshold of 0.06, it remained within the acceptable range (<0.08), suggesting that the scale structure was generally adequate. In addition, the SRMR value (0.087) slightly exceeded the conventional cutoff (<0.08), suggesting minor model residuals; however, this deviation was within an acceptable range and did not substantially affect the overall construct validity.

Sample size calculation

Statistical analysis

Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and stata 18.0 (College Station, TX). Continuous variables were presented as means and standard deviations (Mean ± SD), while categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages (n, %). Differences in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores across demographic subgroups were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test for two groups and the Kruskal–Wallis H-test for three or more groups, as these variables did not meet normality assumptions. Spearman's correlation analysis was utilized to examine the relationships among knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed separately for patients and family members to identify factors associated with each KAP dimension. In the logistic regression analyses, the KAP scores were converted to binary variables according to the median. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to explore the interrelationships among the questionnaire dimensions, with model fit assessed using the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), incremental fit index (IFI), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), and comparative fit index (CFI). A two-sided P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Demographic information

Initially, 532 cases were collected. After excluding cases with missing consent, abnormal demographic entries, or logical errors, a total of 512 valid responses were included (valid rate: 96.24%). Among all participants, 338 (66.0%) were patients. Table 1 presents the baseline characteristics of the entire study population (n = 512). Most participants were male (62.9%) and aged 51–65 years (39.1%).The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores were 6.26 ± 5.34, 28.89 ± 4.10, and 32.49 ± 6.23, respectively. KAP scores showed significant differences across age, education, employment, and income (all P < 0.05). Detailed demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as subgroup comparisons, are presented in Table 1 and Supplementary Table S1.

Distribution of response to questions of knowledge, attitude, and practice

Overall, participants demonstrated limited understanding of CABG-related multimodal imaging and postoperative management. More than half were unfamiliar with cardiac MRI or nuclear imaging, and fewer than 10% reported a good understanding of these modalities. In the knowledge dimension, questions concerning the function and duration of CABG and multimodal imaging had the highest rates of “Unclear” responses. In the attitude dimension, many participants lacked confidence in understanding CABG success rates and potential complications. Regarding practice, nearly one-third rarely sought information about CABG or postoperative management. Detailed distributions of responses for each KAP item are summarized in Supplementary Tables S1–S3. In addition, Figure 1 presents the distributions of total KAP scores with group means, showing that family members scored higher than patients across all domains, knowledge: 8.86 vs. 4.92; attitude: 30.48 vs. 28.08; and practice: 34.95 vs. 31.22.

Figure 1

Correlations between KAP

Correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.535, P < 0.001), as well as practice (r = 0.417, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was also correlation between attitude and practice (r = 0.536, P < 0.001) (Supplementary Table S4). The distributions of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores showed approximately normal patterns with moderate dispersion across dimensions.

Univariate and multivariate analysis

In multivariable analyses stratified by respondent type, among patients, higher education (associate degree or above), being retired or self-employed, higher monthly household income (5,001–10,000 CNY), prior hospitalization for heart attack, and longer CAD duration (>3 years) were independently associated with higher knowledge scores (Table 2). Among family members, higher monthly household income (5,001–10,000 CNY) and preferring not to disclose income were associated with higher knowledge (Table 3). Knowledge was independently associated with attitude in both patients and family members (Tables 4, 5). For practice, attitude was independently associated with better practice in both groups (Tables 6, 7); in patients, knowledge showed a borderline association and preferring not to disclose income was significant (Table 6), whereas in family members, knowledge, female sex, absence of hypertension, and prior hospitalization for heart attack were significant (Table 7). Detailed univariate and multivariate regression results are presented in Tables 2–7.

Interactions between KAP

The structural equation model (SEM) demonstrated good model fit (RMSEA = 0.072, SRMR = 0.087, TLI = 0.882, CFI = 0.893). Knowledge directly influenced both attitude (β = 0.490, P < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.337, P < 0.001), while attitude also had a direct effect on practice (β = 0.427, P < 0.001). Moreover, attitude mediated the relationship between knowledge and practice (β = 0.209, P < 0.001). Detailed fit indices and standardized estimates are provided in Supplementary Tables S6–S8 and Figure 2. Family members showed higher KAP scores than patients (all P < 0.001), indicating distinct patterns between the two groups.

Figure 2

Discussion

General findings and overview

This study revealed significant knowledge deficits among CAD patients and their families concerning CABG, multimodal imaging, and postoperative management, although their attitudes toward treatment were generally favorable. This study highlights the interconnected dynamics among these dimensions, where knowledge influences both attitudes and practices, as supported by correlation and mediation analyses. Despite its single-center design, this study provides a novel contribution by integrating patients and family members within a unified KAP framework and employing SEM to clarify the pathways linking knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the context of CABG. Consistent with previous studies (20, 21), knowledge deficits often hinder the translation of positive attitudes into sustainable health behaviors, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions and improved patient support systems.

Knowledge gaps and barriers

The study revealed significant knowledge gaps regarding multimodal cardiac imaging, which plays a crucial role in CAD diagnosis and CABG evaluation. Echocardiography, despite being widely used clinically for its cost-effectiveness and bedside accessibility, was poorly understood by participants. This finding is clinically relevant, given that echocardiography provides essential information for surgical planning and postoperative monitoring (22). Coronary CTA, while offering detailed information about stenosis characteristics and overall atherosclerosis severity (23), was similarly unfamiliar to many participants. Most notably, over 70% were unaware that cardiac MRI and nuclear imaging could provide critical information about myocardial viability and necrosis—factors crucial for determining CABG benefits (24). The higher awareness of coronary angiography (51%) likely reflects greater emphasis on patient education regarding this gold-standard diagnostic procedure, possibly due to its invasive nature and associated risks (25). These findings have significant implications for clinical practice. The low awareness of multimodal imaging examinations may impact patient compliance with preoperative and postoperative imaging protocols. When patients and their families lack understanding of the purpose and importance of various imaging modalities, they may be less likely to fully engage with the recommended imaging schedules. This is particularly crucial for cardiac MRI and nuclear imaging, as these advanced modalities can provide essential information about myocardial viability that directly influences surgical decision-making (26). Furthermore, patients' limited understanding of echocardiography's role in postoperative monitoring may lead to missed opportunities for early detection of complications.

The influence of socioeconomic factors on knowledge was evident in this study. Higher educational attainment and household income were associated with better knowledge scores, which aligns with previous research indicating that socioeconomic status strongly correlates with health literacy (27, 28). Consistent with previous studies, socioeconomic disparities, such as education level and income, significantly influenced participants' knowledge and attitudes toward CABG and postoperative management, suggesting that interventions should prioritize low-literacy and low-income groups. Lower socioeconomic status, characterized by limited income and education, has been consistently associated with poorer access to reliable health information and restricted opportunities for continuous care. These findings further emphasize that educational disparities must be addressed within broader systemic reforms to achieve sustainable improvements. Integrating structured, culturally tailored education programs into routine clinical workflows could significantly improve knowledge levels. For example, preoperative workshops led by multidisciplinary teams, including surgeons, nurses, radiologist, and dietitians, could ensure that patients and their families receive accurate and actionable information. Additionally, using visual aids and digital tools to convey complex medical concepts may further enhance comprehension, particularly among individuals with limited formal education.

Attitude and practices

Participants demonstrated generally positive attitudes toward CABG and its outcomes, with many expressing confidence in the effectiveness of the procedure and the potential for improved quality of life. These findings are consistent with studies suggesting that optimism and trust in medical interventions are crucial for promoting adherence to postoperative recommendations (29, 30). However, attitudes varied based on health behaviors, such as smoking, which negatively influenced perceptions of CABG and its associated management. This aligns with broader evidence showing that unhealthy behaviors can undermine confidence in medical treatments (31).

The strong relationship between knowledge and attitudes highlights the need to build foundational understanding to reinforce positive perceptions. Attitudes were also directly linked to better practices, suggesting that interventions targeting attitudinal shifts could have cascading effects on behavior. For instance, involving patients in shared decision-making processes may enhance their sense of agency and confidence in adhering to postoperative care plans. Counseling sessions that address fears and misconceptions about CABG risks, coupled with motivational strategies, could further strengthen positive attitudes. Such initiatives should be personalized to account for individual patient profiles and delivered through trusted healthcare professionals to maximize their impact.

Despite generally positive attitudes, participants exhibited suboptimal practices, particularly in areas such as maintaining a balanced diet, adhering to exercise routines, and attending follow-up appointments. These findings mirror those of other studies, which have identified a disconnect between favorable attitudes and consistent health-promoting behaviors in patients with chronic conditions (32, 33). This gap may be partly attributed to structural barriers such as inadequate follow-up support, limited continuity of care, and insufficient patient monitoring after discharge. Behavioral factors including treatment fatigue, low motivation, and perceived lack of professional guidance may further impede adherence. Such multifactorial barriers highlight the importance of an integrated support system that extends beyond hospital-based education. Barriers to effective practices in this study included logistical challenges, insufficient follow-up support, and a lack of accessible resources, particularly in rural areas. In addition, participants with a history of hypertension were more likely to report lower practice scores. This may be explained by the fact that long-term chronic disease management can lead to treatment fatigue, reduced motivation for sustained behavior change, or lower responsiveness to additional health education interventions (34). These individuals might already be overwhelmed with medication regimens and lifestyle modifications, making it more difficult to adopt or maintain new postoperative self-management practices. These systemic issues highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to patient care that extends beyond the hospital setting.

Families often demonstrated higher levels of engagement in monitoring dietary habits, exercise, and medication adherence. Healthcare providers should consider integrating family-centered approaches into postoperative care plans, offering guidance and resources to help families actively participate in patient recovery. For example, community health programs could provide follow-up support through regular home visits or virtual check-ins to ensure that patients adhere to prescribed practices. The comparison between patients and their family members also revealed different patterns. Family members tended to be more knowledgeable and positive toward postoperative care, while patients' responses were more affected by their own medical experience and emotional stress during treatment. These findings suggest that educational strategies should address both groups' specific needs rather than treating them as a single population.

Practical implications and health system strategies

The observed interactions among knowledge, attitudes, and practices highlight the need for an integrated and holistic approach to patient care (Table 8). Knowledge serves as the foundation, influencing attitudes that, in turn, drive practices. However, the disconnect observed between attitudes and practices suggests that addressing systemic and individual-level barriers is crucial for achieving sustainable improvements. These findings are consistent with global trends in chronic disease management, which emphasize the need for integrated care models that address both clinical and psychosocial factors (35, 36).

Comparisons with healthcare systems in other regions reveal important insights. For example, studies conducted in high-resource settings often report higher levels of adherence to postoperative practices, likely due to better access to education, resources, and coordinated care (37, 38). These differences highlight the need for context-specific solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by patients in this study.

To address the knowledge gaps observed, healthcare providers should prioritize the development of comprehensive patient education programs. These initiatives should incorporate interactive, culturally sensitive materials and leverage both in-person and digital delivery methods to enhance accessibility. However, while education and awareness are critical, improving patients’ practices also requires addressing logistical, psychological, and systemic barriers, such as limited follow-up access, treatment fatigue, and insufficient coordination between hospital and community-based care. Attitudes can be further strengthened by fostering trust and confidence through personalized counseling and shared decision-making processes. Interventions should also focus on reducing barriers to practice, such as improving access to follow-up care and integrating family members into the recovery process (39, 40).

System-level reforms and policy interventions are essential for addressing the broader barriers to effective practices and disparities in healthcare access. Policymakers should consider implementing systemic reforms to address disparities in healthcare access and resource allocation. Practical strategies to improve postoperative adherence include implementing structured follow-up protocols, such as scheduled reminder systems and digital tracking tools for lifestyle management. Incorporating mobile health applications can facilitate self-monitoring of diet, exercise, and medication adherence. Furthermore, family-centered educational programs may empower caregivers to actively support patients' recovery, ensuring sustained behavioral change and better long-term outcomes. Subsidizing education programs for patients with lower socioeconomic status and investing in community-based support services could significantly improve adherence to recommended practices. Additionally, enhancing the capacity of primary care systems to provide ongoing support for CAD patients could help bridge gaps in postoperative management. These efforts must be accompanied by rigorous evaluation to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability (41, 42). In summary, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence emphasizing the role of patient and family education in optimizing CABG outcomes. By contextualizing the findings within existing international literature, our results highlight not only the universal challenges of patient adherence and health literacy but also the specific gaps in multimodal imaging awareness in the Chinese healthcare context. Strengthening the discussion and presentation of these findings underscores their practical implications for designing culturally tailored educational and behavioral interventions in cardiovascular care.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. First, the cross-sectional design prevents the establishment of causal relationships between knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Second, as the study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital, the results may not be fully generalizable to other healthcare settings or populations with different sociodemographic backgrounds. Third, the questionnaire did not include certain psychosocial determinants, such as health literacy, psychological status, social support, and information sources, which may have influenced participants' KAP levels. Fourth, while the questionnaire demonstrated overall acceptable construct validity based on confirmatory factor analysis, the SRMR value (0.087) slightly exceeded the conventional threshold of 0.08, indicating minor model residuals. Although this deviation remained within the acceptable range and did not substantially compromise the scale's validity, future studies may benefit from further refinement of the questionnaire structure to optimize model fit. Fifth, self-reported data might introduce recall and social desirability biases, potentially leading to overestimation of knowledge or positive attitudes. Additionally, the cutoffs used for age and income stratifications were based on practical and policy considerations in China, which may limit cross-context comparability. Furthermore, the questionnaire did not differentiate between imaging examinations with substantially different costs, which may have influenced participants' attitudes and practices toward certain modalities. In addition, some questions in the knowledge section contained technical or specialized medical terms, which may have posed comprehension challenges for respondents with limited health literacy, despite the pilot testing and expert review process. Moreover, the characteristics of families (i.e., relationship and caregiver role) were not fully assessed. Despite these limitations, the large sample size and robust statistical analyses strengthen the reliability of the findings. Future research should employ longitudinal and multicenter designs and consider integrating additional psychosocial and behavioral factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of KAP determinants in patients undergoing CABG.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study identified significant knowledge deficits and suboptimal postoperative practices among CAD patients and their families regarding CABG and multimodal imaging examinations, despite generally positive attitudes. Knowledge directly influenced both attitudes and practices, with attitude serving as a mediator in the knowledge-practice pathway. Among patients, socioeconomic factors including education level, employment status, and income were key determinants of knowledge, while attitude was the primary driver of practice behaviors. Among family members, income predicted knowledge, whereas attitude, knowledge, female sex, and absence of hypertension were associated with better practices. Notably, the majority of participants demonstrated poor understanding of cardiac imaging modalities, particularly cardiac MRI and nuclear imaging, which provide critical information for surgical decision-making and postoperative monitoring. These findings emphasize the need for targeted, multi-level educational interventions that address knowledge gaps, reinforce positive attitudes, and overcome systemic barriers to translate awareness into sustained behavioral change. Nonetheless, these conclusions should be interpreted with caution, as the study was conducted in a single tertiary hospital and the results may not fully generalize to broader or more diverse populations.

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