Effect of changing sandbag weight on complications of femoral artery catheterization and patients comfort: A clinical trial study

Coronary disease is the most common life-threatening among chronic diseases. Coronary angiography is one of the most important diagnostic procedures that have complications similar to other invasive procedures. This study was performed to determine the effect of changing sandbag weight on complications of femoral artery catheterization and patient comfort.

This single-blind clinical trial was performed on 140 patients who were referred to Amir Al-Mochr('39')menin Kordkoy hospital in northern Iran. Patients were randomly assigned into four groups consisting 35 patients. After angiography, sandbags with different weights (control group, first intervention, and second intervention, third intervention with weights of 4, 3.5, 3 and 2.3 kg) were placed on the angiography site for 6 hours. Bleeding, hematoma, pain and comfort of patients were recorded and compared immediately, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours after angiography.

Bleeding and hematoma were not observed in any of the patients. There was a significant difference in pain and patients comfort between groups (P<0.05). The third intervention group had the lowest pain and highest comfort at 6 and 8 hours after angiography. Also, the control group had the highest pain and the lowest comfort.

Reducing sandbag weight leads to decrease back pain and improves patient comfort without increasing vascular complications.