Hours during and after coronary intervention and angiography

The purpose of this study was to describe patients' experience during and after coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Data were collected by interviews with 14 patients. A qualitative content analysis approach was used. Four main categories were identified that describe patients' experience of the hours during and following intervention: emotional thoughts, bodily sensations, nursing intervention of importance, and personal strategies. All patients made a comment on staff conduct and pointed out that even minor nursing actions may be of great importance. Patients were most positive toward the transradial approach. Even though the approach via arteria radialis will increase, many patients will still have their procedure done via arteria femoralis. In spite of all research and technical developments, the patients' experience from intervention via arteria femoralis is pretty much the same as it was 1997.