Reducing pain and discomfort following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Although percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been found to be an effective alternative to open-heart surgery for patients with coronary artery disease, the procedure itself can be associated with severe anxiety and discomfort for the patient. The authors report the discomfort patients experience during recovery from PTCA and suggest nursing interventions to reduce pain for these patients.