Early ambulation following 6 French diagnostic left heart catheterization: A prospective randomized trial

Abstract
Outpatient cardiac catheterization is frequently performed, but the optimal recovery time after sheath removal has not been defined. Left heart catheterization was performed via the femoral artery utilizing 6 French catheters on 323 outpatients. One hundred thirty‐five patients were randomized to ambulate at a mean of 2.5 hr (group 1) after puncture site compression, whereas 188 patients were randomized to ambulate at a mean of 4.1 hr (group 2). Telephone follow‐up occurred within 48 hr. A small hematoma (Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:8–10, 1997.