Quality of life comparisons after coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Objective: To examine the differences in realization of expected benefits, complications, and quality of life (QOL) 3 months after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Design: Nonexperimental, prospective, and comparative. Before discharge, participants listed benefits expected from the procedure, as well as comorbid health problems (Charlson Comorbidity Index) and complications. At 3 months, they quantified their realization of expected benefits, reported postdischarge complications, and completed Ferrans and Powers’ Quality of Life Index—Cardiac Version III. Sample: 36 patients who had PTCA; 38 patients who had CABG. Results: There were no differences between groups in realization of expected benefits or QOL. Patients who had CABG reported a greater number of complications after discharge, and a greater proportion of patients who had PTCA reported angina. Patients who had PTCA and then recurrent angina had significantly lower health QOL and psychologic and spiritual QOL. Conclusions: Patients who undergo CABG need guidance regarding what complications to expect, and patients who undergo PTCA need to know that recurrent angina is possible and how to manage it. (Heart Lung® 1999; 28:409-17)