Coronary artery disease patients' perception of their health and expectations of benefit following coronary artery bypass grafting

This prospective descriptive study has analysed 214 patient interviews befo re and 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The preoperativ e interview explored issues related to the impact of coronary artery diseas e upon health and expectations of benefit from the patients' perspective. T he postoperative interview examined patients' accounts of the experience of operation and its impact on their health. A thematic analysis of the inter view data was undertaken. The main factors relating to health status preope ratively were described in terms of 'dependency' on others and medication, and 'impending doom' of some major life threatening event. Benefits to heal th postoperatively were viewed in terms of 'removal of a death sentence' an d 'freedom of choice'. Expectations of benefit from operation were varied a nd included 'freedom and independence', 'hope, chance and uncertainty' and 'addition of years to life and life to years'. Undergoing the operation was described by themes of the 'enormity of the experience' and 'the importanc e of lay support'. These findings provide a greater understanding of the 'l ived experience' of both coronary artery disease and undergoing coronary ar tery bypass grafting. Unrealistic expectations of the benefits of CABG high lights the need for improvement in the way patients are informed about risk s and benefits of interventions. In addition, the views and insights sugges t that CABG operation is regarded as a significant major life event; thus m ore information, advice and counselling might help support patients before, during and after surgery.