Post-angioplasty patients’ early experiences after treatment at the National Cardiac Centre of Maldives at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital

Abstract

Coronary angioplasty has been performed widely all over the world and

is effective in reducing complications and shortening the length of hospital stay. Post- angioplasty patients undergo both positive and negative experiences in the early recovery

period, which significantly affects their overall well-being. However, little is known about patients’ post-angioplasty experiences in the Maldivian context. Therefore, this research study aimed to explore post-angioplasty patients’ experiences related to changes in their lives within two to six weeks after angioplasty from the National Cardiac Centre NCC of Maldives. Using a qualitative phenomenological study design, a purposive sample of six patients who were within two to six weeks after coronary angioplasty participated in individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed by using the Colaizzi (1978) process of data analysis. Six themes emerged from the analysis, which reflects the recovery experiences of patients after angioplasty. Themes included support from family and co-workers, seeking self-control and attempting to adjust to the current situation, adapting to lifestyle changes for a better quality of living, looking for specific information, fear of resuming physical activities, and feeling vulnerable/traumatized after angioplasty. The study’s findings provided insight into the recovery period after angioplasty, unveiling unique knowledge related to patients’ experience during the early post-angioplasty period

and will subsequently help nurses and other healthcare professionals plan more patient- centered care to produce better patient outcomes.