Assessment of knowledge and prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors among the patients after their first and repeated percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an effective method for the treatment ofcoronary 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 PCIrelated hospitalization on knowledge, awareness, and prevalence of selfreported risk factors for CAD. METHODS: We collected data using a selfdesigned 56item 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 priorPCI group (64%), whereas the prePCI group comprised patients with no history of revascularization (36%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) knowledge score was 19 (12.5-23) points in the prePCI and 21 (12.5-24) points in the priorPCI group (P = 0.35). The median (IQR) risk control score was 5 (4.5-7) points in the prePCI and 6 (4-8) points in the priorPCI 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 priorPCI 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.