Patients' Coping Process of Having Acute Myocardial Infraction Attack and Receiving Urgent Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCIs): A Grounded Theory Study

Background: Cardiovascular diseases represent the second cause of death in Taiwan, resulting in annually 4,000 to 5,000 people die by AMI. However, limited studies focus on investigating AMI patients’ coping process of PCIs.

Objective: This study explored coping process of AMI patients underwent emergent PCIs.

Methods: A total of 29 AMI patients receiving emergent PCIs were recruited from 2 hospitals in Taiwan and participated in the semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed through a multi-step synthesized grounded theory analysis developed by the researchers. Methods of asking questions, reviewing references, constant comparison, and theoretical sampling were utilised throughout the data collection process for achieving theoretical saturation and research integrity.

Results: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hardworking, huge stress, no exercise, poor life style, were the high risks to induce AMI. When AMI attacks, it causes physical, psychological, social, and economic problems for patients and their families. Blank mind, dying, powerless, regretful, goodbye, and helpless were patients’ experiences of AMI attack. Pain, nervous, unconscious, difficult times, or no idea, were their perceptions of receiving emergent PCIs. AMI patients regretted to live inappropriately and tried to have good life styles in getting healthy back. They used positive coping strategies, such as life style change, medication compliance, and exercise, to face AMI.

Conclusions: Patients only perceived disease seriousness as they had AMI attack. We suggest that early prevention and enough education of AMI diseases are necessary in clinical practice and community care.  However, due to small number of participants, we suggest further study is needed.