Prediction of functional and psychological status after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVE: To examine symptom, functional status, and psychological status profiles alter percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and de termine indicators of outcome. DESIGN: Descriptive and correlational with repeated measures. SETTING: Hospital or home (2.1 days before PTCA) and home (3.9 and 10.2 mon ths after discharge). MEASURES: Self-administered questionnaires (developed for study) for functi onal status (personal and instrumental activities of daily living), and car diac symptoms (chest pain and shortness of breath at rest and on exertion). General Health Questionnaire(16) for psychological status. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty with PTCA (mean age 57 years, 84% male, 15% wi th prior PTCA). RESULTS: Chest pain and shortness of breath at rest and on exertion decreas ed and functional and psychological status improved 3.9 months after PTCA, with measures maintained at 10.2 months. Al 3.9 months after PTCA, poorer p sychological status was predicted by having had a longer duration of corona ry artery disease before PTCA. Post-PTCA indicators of poor psychological s tatus were continued chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion and not working. The presence of post-PTCA chess pain on exertion and not working were also correlated with reduced functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Although pre-PTCA variables such as duration of coronary arter y disease can predict post-PTCA outcome, the use of variables measured afte r PTCA may also provide clinicians with accurate estimates of functional an d psychological status after PTCA.