Improving outcomes following elective percutaneous coronary intervention: the key role of exercise and the advanced practice nurse.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a safe, effective, non-surgical treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD). The demand for PCI has increased exponentially since the 1980s and it has become the treatment of choice for many individuals with CAD. Since PCI is not a cure, secondary prevention strategies are critical to prevent disease progression. Unfortunately, current strategies ignore the specific needs of the elective PCI population. In this article, the authors highlight the unique characteristics of these patients, which may contribute to their lack of engagement in healthy lifestyles. Elective PCI patients are vulnerable due to limited knowledge and follow-up, and lack of enrolment in secondary prevention programs. Exercise is a central component of any cardiac prevention strategy. Individualized exercise programs that incorporate physical activity and counselling can potentially improve the clinical outcomes of these patients. Advanced practice cardiovascular nurses play a key role in developing, implementing, and evaluating exercise programs in this population.