Comparison of two Methods of Air Cushions and Sand Bags on Complications after Coronary Artery Angioplasty

Background and One of the most important of post coronary artery Angioplastycomplications is hemorrhage and hematoma. In our country initial hemostasis is done by hand pressure in puncture site and use of sand bag and absolute immobility for maintain hemostasis. Sand bag pressure and applied immobility lead to significant patient discomfort. In this regard and in order to achieve a solution for reducing complications after angioplasty the aim of this study is determine the effect of two methods of sand bags and air cushions on reducing complications after coronary artery angioplasty. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 80 patients for elective angioplasty, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly assigned to two groups of sandbag and the air cushion. Complications after angioplasty including low back pain, fatigue, and inguinal discomfort in both groups were evaluated during a 6 hours rest. Regarding the severity of back pain, fatigue as well as discomfort in the groin immediately following the removal of the sheath; no significant difference was reported in both groups. A significant difference was observed in sandbag group in later stages (P<0.001). It also revealed that this group had to receive more narcotics to relieve the pain (P=0.0025). There was no significant difference in the incidence of hematoma between the two groups (P=0.314). Regarding the findings of the study, it was revealed that applying air cushion to the femoral artery puncture site will lead to the possible position change in bed, no increase in hematoma and bleeding, significant reduction of back pain, patient comfort and also reduction in the prescription of analgesics.