A Randomized Trial Assessing the Influence of Lying Still or Being Allowed to Move in the Observation Period Following Coronary Angiography Using the Femoral Approach

The aim of the study was to examine whether moving during a 2-hour observation period in bed after coronary angiography was associated with a higher incidence of bleeding complications compared to a standard regimen, where the patients were told not to move. In both regimens a 4.5 kg sandbag 25 x 12 x 12 cm was placed over the puncture site along the inguinal ligament for the first hour. The sandbag prevented the patients from turning over, but did not prevent bending in the hip and knee. We consecutively included 1,000 patients scheduled for elective diagnostic coronary angiography using the femoral approach. The in-hospital incidence of hematoma > or =5 cm was 7%. No statistical difference was detected between the two regimens regarding the incidence of bleeding or hematoma formation. The patients preferred the alternative regimen and fewer patients in the alternative regimen had back pain as well as pain from the puncture site. We conclude that patients should not be told to lie still during the observation period after coronary angiography.