Day-case peripheral angioplasty using nurse-led admission, discharge, and follow-up procedures: arterial closure devices are not necessary.
OBJECTIVE
To audit the safety of day-case peripheral arterial intervention without the use of arterial-closure devices using nurse-led admission, discharge, and follow-up procedures.


METHODS
Patients referred for elective, peripheral vascular intervention were selected for day-case care according to pre-determined criteria using telephone triage. Post-procedure haemostasis was achieved using manual compression. After 3h bed-rest, patients were mobilized and discharged at 5h. Patients were contacted by telephone next working day to audit complications.


RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-three elective day-case peripheral interventions were performed over 2 years, predominantly using 6 F sheaths. No closure devices were used. Five patients (2%) returned to the department because of persistent groin symptoms the next day. One of these had a false aneurysm. Four required no further treatment. A single patient returned at day 6 with a delayed false aneurysm.


CONCLUSIONS
Day-case peripheral vascular intervention can be safely performed in appropriately selected patients without the use of arterial closure devices. Specialist radiology nurses have a major role in the counselling, care, and follow-up of these patients.
Kasthuri
R
R
Department of Radiology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
Karunaratne
D
D
Andrew
H
H
Sumner
J
J
Chalmers
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome