Laser angioplasty and intracoronary stents: going beyond the balloon

Laser angioplasty and balloon-expandable intracoronary stenting are two valuable clinical devices that are now used in interventional cardiology. The description, rationale, and clinical application of each device are examined to enhance the nurse's understanding of intervention choices. Primary nursing diagnoses are described, and special nursing considerations are discussed to aid the critical-care nurse in assessing patient needs, monitoring therapies, optimizing care, and being a mediator of stress between the patient and new technology.