Restenos efter PC1 (ballongvidgning i hjärtats kranskärl)
Upplevelser ur ett patientperspektiv
Background: The intention of this study was to clarify the patients perspective of what it means to suffer fiom documented restenosis after one or more Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Aim: The aim of this qualitative study was to ascertain the patients experience of restenosis. Method: Nine patients were interviewed. They had undergone at least one PC1 and two had also undergone Coronary Arterio Bypass Grafting (CABG). Data collection and analysis were done simultaneously according to Grounded Theory methodology and were continued until new interviews provided no additional information, i.e saturation was met. Results: "Living with uncertainty" was identified as the core category and was related to four additional categories, labelled "fighting for access to care", "moderating health threats", "trying to understand" and "controlling relatives' anxiety". The categories formed a conceptual model, describing the experienced life situation of patients with restenosis following a previous PCI. Conclusion: The perceptions of the patients regarding their illness and illness-related events, such as symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, are considerably affected by uncertainty. This uncertainty infiltrates their struggle to acquire the care needed, their endeavour to comprehend and moderate health threats, and their way of caring for and protecting their family and relatives.