The effect of pressure bandaging on complications and comfort in patients undergoing coronary angiography: a multicenter randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of pressure bandaging in reducing bleeding and bruising in patients undergoing coronary angiography and to investigate the contribution that pressure bandages make to patient discomfort after angiography.


METHODS
A prospective multicenter, randomized study.


METHODS
Three university hospitals in Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
One thousand seventy-five patients undergoing coronary angiography were randomized to receive a pressure bandage (N = 556) or no bandage (N = 519) after manual compression of the right femoral artery puncture site.


RESULTS
Patients without pressure bandages had a higher incidence of bleeding (P < 0.05) and bled earlier (mean 2.4 hours; SD 3.6 hours) after catheter removal (P < 0.001) than patients with bandages (mean 5.3 hours; SD 3.8 hours). The incidence of bleeding in patients without pressure bandages was 6.7%. The incidence and extent of bruising was the same for both groups. Patients with pressure bandages experienced a higher incidence of back (P < 0.05), groin (P < 0.001), and leg pain (P < 0.001), nausea (P < 0.05) and urinary difficulty (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the associated increase in patient discomfort and the delay in time of onset of bleeding, pressure bandages should not be used routinely in the management of patients after coronary angiography, especially in the context of early discharge from the hospital.
Botti
M
M
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, Australia.
Williamson
B
B
Steen
K
K
McTaggart
J
J
Reid
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D003288:Contusions / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome