The safety of outpatient arteriography using 3F catheters

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Abstract
There has been a general trend for diagnostic arteriography to be performed as a day-case procedure, thus obviating the need for hospital admission. Most commonly 5F and, more recently, 4F catheters have been used via the femoral approach. After catheter removal, firm digital pressure is applied at the puncture site for 10–15 min following which patients are observed for 2–4 h. Although this approach is undoubtedly safe, problems may arise, particularly in elderly patients, those with hypertension and also in patients with groin scarring, often associated with surgical bypass grafts. Severe bleeding is very rare, but a haematoma or delayed oozing is not unusual. In a recent paper advocating outpatient arteriography with 4F catheters there was no delayed bleeding, but over half the patients had bruising in the groin or slight oozing following the procedure (Dyet et al, 1990). The ages of these patients were not specified but there is nothing to suggest that they were a particularly “atrisk” group.

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