Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: clinical and quality of life outcomes one year later.
BACKGROUND
The quality of life status of patients prior to and following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has not been comprehensively investigated.


OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to determine the effect that PTCA has on patients' quality of life.


METHODS
Data on 209 patients were collected one day pre-PTCA and at a mean of two and 11 months post-PTCA. Data on symptomatic status, functional capacity, life satisfaction and psychological well-being were analysed quantitatively. Clinical outcomes, patient perception of PTCA and employment status wee analysed by descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
Highly significant improvement in all quality of life measures was found at the early follow-up (p < .001). This improvement was sustained at the late follow-up. At the late follow-up, 58% of patients felt that PTCA had been very beneficial to their health and well-being, and 79% of workers had returned to work. PTCA was primarily successful in 91% of vessels dilated. There were no procedural-related deaths, 12 patients (6%) developed acute occlusion and three patients (1.5%) experienced myocardial infarction (MI). A symptomatic restenosis rate of 16% was found, including 19 patients (9%) requiring repeat PTCA and 14 (7%) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that, after PTCA, the majority of patients experienced improved quality of life which was sustained one year later.
McKenna
K T
KT
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
McEniery
P T
PT
Maas
F
F
Aroney
C N
CN
Bett
J H
JH
Cameron
J
J
Holt
G
G
Hossack
K F
KF
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome