title: Early ambulation after diagnostic cardiac catheterization: a 4 French study.
abstract: This study is intended to test whether the use of new 4 French (Fr) catheters can safely eliminate the need for supine bed rest and allow earlier ambulation while decreasing groin site complications and patient discomfort. Diagnostic left heart catheterization was performed using 4 Fr catheters via the femoral approach in 100 consecutive patients. After femoral sheath removal, the mean compression time with a mechanical compression device was 16.07 +/- 3.19 minutes. Mean manual compression time was 18.3 +/- 5.7 minutes. Ninety-eight patients were able to sit up 30 degrees immediately after hemostasis was achieved. The mean ambulation time was 2.18 +/- 0.71 hours. There were no major vascular complications. Four patients developed a small area (2.5-5 cm) of ecchymosis at the femoral arterial puncture site. The study demonstrated that upper body elevation and early ambulation are safe as soon as hemostasis is achieved after 4 Fr cardiac catheterization.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mease Hospital, Safety Harbor, FL, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sola
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001510:Bed Rest; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002404:Catheterization; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged