Pain and discomfort in closure of femoral access coronary angiography. The CLOSuredEvices Used in everyday Practice (CLOSE-UP) pain sub study

Sindberg, B., Schou, M., Hansen, L., Christiansen, K. J., Jorgensen, K. S., Soltoft, M., Holm, N. R., Maeng, M., Kristensen, S. D., Lassen, J. F.

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

Published online on March 25, 2013

Abstract

Background:

Pain and discomfort in relation to vascular closure are the predominant patient complaints after coronary angiography (CAG). No large-scale randomized studies have evaluated pain and discomfort after CAG with access site closure by manual compression versus a vascular closure device (VCD).

Aim:

To compare pain and discomfort after femoral artery closure by manual compression versus FemoSeal® VCD.

Methods:

The study is a sub study to the CLOSE-UP study, a randomized, single centre comparison of FemoSeal^® VCD versus manual compression after CAG. Pain and discomfort score was assessed immediately after the closure procedure, at time for mobilization, at discharge and after 14 days.

Results:

1014 patients were included and 1001 patients entered analysis. In-hospital follow-up was obtained for all patients and 14-day follow-up was completed for 96% of patients. The closure procedure lasted 1 (1–1) min in the FemoSeal^®VCD group and 8 (6–10) min in the manual compression group. Pain and discomfort score at the procedure was significantly higher in the FemoSeal^®VCD group. No differences in pain and discomfort were detected after leaving the catheterization laboratory.

Conclusion:

Closure of femoral access after CAG by the FemoSeal^®VCD was associated with significantly more pain and discomfort compared with closure by manual compression. No difference in pain and discomfort was found at follow-up.