Vascular complications of early (3 h) vs standard (6 h) ambulation post-cardiac catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention from the femoral artery

Abstract

Background: The optimal time of ambulation post cardiac catheterization (CC) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) done from the femoral artery is not well defined. The aim of this study was to determine whether early (3 hrs) ambulation post CC/PCI is as safe as standard (6 hrs) ambulation time.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study comparing the vascular complications rate (bleeding, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm formation) among patients who underwent CC, alone or concomitant with PCI, from the femoral artery and who were ambulated after 3 or 6 hrs.

Results: The study population consisted of a total of 262 patients, 147 were ambulated after 3 hrs and 115 were ambulated after 6 hrs. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to age, gender, body mass index, prior history of cardiac events, as well as the indication for performing the current CC/PCI. The rate of vascular complications was similar between the two groups (2.7% vs 2.6%, p=0.97). All vascular complications were managed conservatively and non required surgical intervention.

Conclusion: In this retrospective observational study, both early (3 hrs) and standard (6 hrs) ambulation after CC/PCI from the femoral artery had a similar and low rate of vascular complications. Cardiac catheterization laboratories need to be encouraged to adopt an early ambulation policy post CC/PCI from the femoral artery to improve patient comfort and expedite patient discharge from the hospital.

Keywords: Cardiac catheterization; Early ambulation; Femoral artery; Percutaneous coronary intervention.