Discharge Advice

Discharge advice following a Coronary Angiogram via the radial or femoral artery

Return to the Ward

• Eat and drink as usual. We encourage plenty of fluids over the next 3 to 4 days to flush out the contrast dye we have used during your procedure.
• The nurse will monitor your wound site every 15 minutes for 1 hours to check for any signs of bleeding.
• The nurse will monitor all your vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Going Home

• A relative / friend must drive you home. This is because there are DVLA driving restrictions that apply after some procedures, including this one.
• After an Angiogram via the wrist / radial artery, you MUST NOT DRIVE for 3 days.
• After an Angiogram via the groin / femoral artery, you MUST NOT DRIVE for 24 hours.
• You have been given a sedation during your procedure, so you are unable to sign any important documentation, drive machinery or make any important decisions.
• We also ask you not to be left alone overnight.

Wound Care

• Remove the clear dressing after 24 hours.
• Avoid lifting any heavy bags or doing any strenuous activity for 72 hours. Strenuous activity increases pressure, making it more likely that the wound will bleed. If you are awaiting a cardiac stent or a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) we advise against doing any strenuous activity until after the subsequent procedure has been performed.
• If you have tenderness at the site and find it uncomfortable, then taking Paracetamol may help. Be mindful of taking pain relief that contain Aspirin as you may already be taking this medication.
• Bruising around the puncture site is common, and if your femoral artery has been punctured the bruising may extend down the thigh. Although unsightly, this is not cause for concern and the bruising will gradually change colour and fade over the following 1 to 2 weeks.
• If entry has been made via the femoral artery, we may have used a special collagen plug called an Angioseal. It will be absorbed into your blood stream naturally over the next 3 months. You will be given an Angioseal card to carry with you. Do not worry if you are unable to find this card; just ensure that if you are admitted to hospital you inform them of the Angioseal.
• A small lump may develop at the puncture site. A small pea-sized lump is not usually a cause for concern and is just a result of the scar from your procedure.
• Check your wound for signs of it becoming hot, red, painful or swelling – If this becomes excessive, please contact us or contact your GP.
• If your hand or foot (depending on the puncture site) becomes cool, pale and / or painful – PLEASE SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Bleeding

• It is rare to have severe bleeding from the insertion site once you are at home. However, if bleeding occurs you must:
  • Lie down flat.
  • Ask someone to apply firm pressure to the insertion site for 10 minutes.
  • If the bleeding does not stop, ask someone to call 999.
• If you have had a day case procedure (returning home on the same day), you will need a responsible adult to stay with you overnight in case there are any problems.

Anti-coagulation medication

• If you were previously taking medications such as Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran or Edoxaban: If we asked you to stop this medication for your procedure, we will give you instructions for when to restart taking this.

Discharge advice after your Coronary Angioplasty or Stent Insertion (PCI) via the radial or femoral artery

Return to the Ward

• Eat and drink as usual. We encourage plenty of fluids over the next 3 to 4 days to flush out the contrast dye we have used during your procedure.
• The nurse will monitor your wound site every 15 minutes for 1 hours to check for any signs of bleeding.
• The nurse will monitor all your vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Going Home

• A relative / friend must drive you home. This is because there are DVLA driving restrictions that apply after some procedures, including this one.
• After an Angioplasty and stent via the groin / femoral artery, you MUST NOT DRIVE for 7 days.
• You have been given a sedation during your procedure, so you are unable to sign any important documentation, drive machinery or make any important decisions.
• We also ask you not to be left alone overnight.
• You may take a shower the day after your procedure. Avoid a bath for 3 to 4 days if possible. Do not use soaps, moisturisers, creams or talcum powder directly over the puncture site. Please dry the site thoroughly by gently patting the area with a towel, not rubbing.

Wound Care

• Remove the clear dressing after 24 hours.
• Avoid lifting any heavy bags or doing any strenuous activity for 72 hours. Strenuous activity increases pressure in your incision site, making it more likely that the wound will bleed.
• If you have tenderness at the site and find it uncomfortable, then taking Paracetamol may help. Be mindful of taking pain relief that contain Aspirin as you may already be taking this medication.
• Bruising around the puncture site is common, and if the procedure has been performed via the groin the bruising may extend down the thigh and as far as the knee. Although unsightly, this is not cause for concern and the bruising will gradually change colour and fade over the following 1 to 2 weeks.
• If entry has been made via the femoral artery, we may have used a special collagen plug called an Angioseal. It will be absorbed into your blood stream naturally over the next 3 months. You will be given an Angioseal card to carry with you. Do not worry if you are unable to find this card; just ensure that if you are admitted to hospital you inform them of the Angioseal.
• A small lump may develop at the puncture site. A small pea-sized lump is not usually a cause for concern and is just a result of the scar from your procedure.
• Check your wound for signs of it becoming hot, red, painful or swelling – If this becomes excessive, please contact us or contact your GP.
• If your hand, foot or leg (depending on the puncture site) becomes cool, pale and / or painful – PLEASE SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Bleeding

• It is rare to have severe bleeding from the insertion site once you are at home. However, if bleeding occurs you must:
  • Lie down flat.
  • Ask someone to apply firm pressure to the insertion site for 10 minutes.
  • If the bleeding does not stop, ask someone to call 999.
• If you have had a day case procedure (returning home on the same day), you will need a responsible adult to stay with you overnight in case there are any problems.

Medication

• Before you are discharged, your medications will be explained. Please ask if you have any further questions about your medications.

Side effects

• It can be normal to experience increased bruising whilst taking Clopidogrel / Ticagrelor / Prasugrel. If you are concerned, or you notice any unexpected bruising or bleeding, then please speak to your GP.

Anti-coagulation medication

• If you were previously taking medications such as Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran or Edoxaban: If we asked you to stop this medication for your procedure, we will give you instructions for when to restart taking this.

Support from Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Post-procedure, you may find Cardiac Rehabilitation helpful. The support they provide can help you to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as improving exercise tolerance, and in doing so reduces the risk of you requiring further stents in the future.
• Information about the nearest Cardiac Rehabilitation service will be provided to you.

Lifestyle changes

• After the procedure, it’s still important to take steps to reduce your risk of having further problems in the future. This includes:
  • Trying to lose weight if you’re overweight;
  • Stopping smoking if you smoke;
  • Eating a healthy diet with low levels of fat and salt;
  • Being active and exercising regularly.
• We advise that you ease yourself into resuming or starting any strenuous activity after having a coronary stent.