FEMORAL VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS
Background: Coronary angiography is the most important and reliable test todiagnose coronary artery disease. Bed rest of few hours is advised after angiography to reducevascular complications but there is difference of opinion regarding duration of bed rest afterangiography. Objectives: To compare the frequency of vascular complications after 6 hoursof bed rest versus 3 hours of bed rest in patients undergoing femoral coronary angiography.Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Angiography Department,Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad from August, 2017 to January, 2018. Methods:A total of 100 patients were divided in two equal groups, group A (interventional group (n=50),3 hours rest) and group B (routine care (n=50), 6 hours rest). A 6 French sheath was insertedunder local anesthesia by seldinger technique in femoral artery. Coronary angiography wasdone using 6 F angiography catheters. At the end of procedure sheaths were immediatelyremoved and manual pressure was applied for 15 minutes. Puncture site was observed forhematoma formation or bleeding every 30 minutes for 2 hours in angiography ward, afterwardsthese observations were made every hour till time of discharge. Patients were called for checkupin outpatient department next day and after 1 week. Results: Out of 50 patients in group A therewere 35 (70%) male and 15 (30%) female and in group B out of 50 patients there were 40 (80%)male and 10 (20%) female patients. In group A mean age was (51.02 ±9.57) years while in groupB mean age was (51.50±10.19) years. There was no significant difference in patients betweenthe two groups regarding their age, gender, body mass index (BMI), coagulation profile and useof antiplatelets. There was no incidence of pre ambulation bleeding, small or large hematoma inboth groups. Post ambulation bleeding occurred in 1(2%) patient in experimental group (GroupA) and in 1 (2%) patient in the control group (Group B). Small hematoma occurred in 2 (4%)patients in experimental group (Group A) and in 1(2%) patient of control group (Group B).There was no incidence of post ambulation large hematoma in both groups. Conclusion: Shortbed rest of 3 hours after femoral angiography does not increase the frequency of puncture sitecomplications.