title: Comparison of comfort and local complications after cardiac catheterization.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 4 hours of bed rest versus 6 hours of bed rest on patients' safety, comfort, and satisfaction levels. Using a quasi-experimental design, the authors studied 118 left-heart catheterization patients who were randomly assigned to 4 hours or 6 hours of bed rest. Among the study participants, only 1 in the 6-hour group had significant bleeding. There were no complications in the 4-hour group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on any of the other study variables. Given the lack of significant complications for the 4-hour group and similar comfort levels for both study groups, these findings suggest the feasibility of reducing the standard period of postcatheterization bed rest from 6 hours to 4 hours, thereby possibly lowering the cost of the outpatient procedure.
authors.affiliation: Medical Same Day Unit, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Redeker
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Moreyra
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction