Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is today a standard therapy of patients with coronary heart disease. So far several factors causing the complications of PCI have been identified. (1-4) This study presents types and frequency of complications after PCI (both urgent in the setting of acute coronary syndrome, and elective due to stable coronary disease), as well as potential predictors, that can identify elevated risk situations.

Patients and Methods: This study enrolled all patients who underwent PCI in University Hospital Dubrava over a period of one year. Data of 727 patients was analyzed (523 men and 204 women). 354 patients underwent a primary PCI, and 377 patients underwent an elective or delayed PCI.

Results: Most numerous were the patients between 60 and 71 years of age (30.3%), and least numerous those >80 years (6.3% patients); male were 71.9% patients. Acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction was present in 48.7% patients, and they underwent primary PCI. In general, 18.9% men and 21.1% women have experienced some kind of complication during the hospitalization: 9.9% had bleeding, 2.1% febrility, 5% arrhythmia, 8.7% pain, 6.7% hematoma and 3.35% patients died. 24.2% patients experienced some other form of complication.

Conclusion: PCI is an effective method for treating patients with coronary heart disease. Results show a real picture of incidence a type of PCI procedure as well as complications and adverse events after procedure, and most results are similar to those previously reported in literature. Risk factors for complications which are identified comprise female gender, age over 60 years and presence of other comorbidities. Nurse is an essential factor for timely detection and prevention of complications in patients undergoing PCI.