Effect of Ice bag with Direct Pressure in the Prevention of Local Vascular Complications after Femoral Sheath Removal Post-Cardiac Catheterization: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure using image guidance for diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic intervention in managing patients with cardiac diseases This procedure's problems commonly lead to increases in the length of the patient's stay in the hospital, cost, and vascular complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of applying an ice bag with direct pressure to prevent vascular complications (bleeding, hematoma, and ecchymosis) after femoral sheath removal of cardiac catheterization. Method: An experimental study design. A total of 60 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization at the “Karbala Center for Cardiac Diseases and Surgery” between November 2021 and April 2022 participated in the study 30 in the control group and 30 in the experimental group. Result: The study's results showed a statistical significance between experimental and control groups to decrease in vascular complications and getting early ambulation after applying the protocol. Conclusion: According to the study's results, the ice bag with direct pressure effectively reduces the development of the vascular complications rate after the removal of the femoral sheath. Recommendations: Instructed to perform the ice bag with direct pressure after removing the femoral sheath to decrease bleeding severity, hematoma, and ecchymosis. The benefits of applying an ice bag with direct pressure to other invasive procedures such arterial-venous fistula, central venous line, and arterial line should be investigated in another study