The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that predict discomfort after coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among hospitalized patients.

A total of 203 patients who underwent coronary angiography or PCI were recruited from C hospital located in S city, J province, from June through August 2008. The level of discomfort was measured and standardized by two instruments, discomfort questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Stepwise multiple regression showed that the factors predicting the level of discomfort were type of angiography, gender, previous angiography, dysuria, pre-information, and sleep satisfaction, which together explained 30.6% of the total variance of the level of discomfort.

Patients who had previous experience with these procedures, received a pre-information about the upcoming procedure, had no dysuria, and had slept well after the procedure were less likely to complain discomfort. Pre-informed education should be given by nurses to patients who will have an angiography or PCI to reduce their physical and emotional discomforts.