Restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): experiences from the patients' perspective.
BACKGROUND
PCI has been established as an effective treatment for coronary artery disease. Restenosis is a recurrence of a significant narrowing in the treated vessel. Although a part of the investigative and research funding is invested in the prevention and resolving the restenosis problem, little is known about its clinical significance apart from further revascularisation.


OBJECTIVE
The intention of this study was to clarify the patients perspective of what it means to suffer from documented restenosis after PCI.


METHODS
Patients interviewed had undergone PCI. Data collection and analysis was done simultaneously according to Grounded Theory methodology and continued until new interviews provided no additional information.


RESULTS
"Living with uncertainty" was identified as the core category, and the central focus in the data explains what it means to patients' to suffer from restenosis. The core category was further illuminated in four additional categories labelled "fighting for access to care", "moderating health threats", "trying to understand" and "controlling relatives anxiety".


CONCLUSIONS
Patients' perceptions of illness and illness-related events, such as symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, are considerably affected by uncertainty. This infiltrates their struggle to acquire the care needed, their endeavour to comprehend and moderate health threats, and caring for their family.
Odell
Annika
A
Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45, Göteborg, Sweden. annika.odell@vgregion.se
Grip
Lars
L
Hallberg
Lillemor R-M
LR
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D035501:Uncertainty