Knowledge and prevalence of risk factors for coronary artery disease in patients after the first and repeated percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an effective method for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) that allows for a short hospital stay and fast recovery. It has been shown that PCI is a predictor of nonattendance at cardiac rehabilitation and correlates with poor adherence to lifestyle changes. AIMS The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of education offered during PCI-related hospitalization on knowledge, awareness, and prevalence of self-reported risk factors for CAD. METHODS We collected data using a self-designed 56-item questionnaire. Questions assessed the knowledge of CAD risk factors and the level of their control. The maximal knowledge score was 31 points and the maximal control score, 15 points. RESULTS The study group consisted of 200 consecutive patients undergoing PCI. Patients with a history of PCI performed at least 8 weeks prior to their current hospitalization were included in the prior-PCI group (64%), whereas the pre-PCI group comprised patients with no history of revascularization (36%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) knowledge score was 19 (12.5-23) points in the pre-PCI and 21 (12.5-24) points in the prior-PCI group (P = 0.35). The median (IQR) risk control score was 5 (4.5-7) points in the pre-PCI and 6 (4-8) points in the prior-PCI group (P = 0.4). There was no correlation between the level of knowledge and the actual prevalence of CAD risk factors. We found that 50% of the prior-PCI patients did not attend any rehabilitation, which correlated with poor control of CAD risk factors (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Currently used models of postprocedural education do not have an adequate effect on patient knowledge and do not bring recommended lifestyle changes.