A comparison of two techniques of care for indwelling arterial introducers after coronary angioplasty

To determine whether indwelling arterial introducers can be maintained for 24 hours without risk of infection and/or hemorrhage in the post-coronary angioplasty patient, 96 patients were assigned to one of two groups. Introducers of the subjects in group I were flushed with 500 U of heparin, capped, and covered with a sterile occlusive dressing. Introducers of subjects in group II were connected to a heparinized (500 U in 500 mL normal saline) and pressurized (200 to 300 mm Hg) flush device. All introducers were removed 24 hours after coronary angioplasty. Results of t tests showed no significant difference between the two groups in incidence of infection or hemorrhage when hemoglobin, hematocrit, partial thromboplastin time, and white blood cell count were compared. Signs of inflammation at the introducer site (redness and swelling) and temperature elevation > or = 37.8 degrees C were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of hematoma formation at the introducer site was 40% in both groups. The two methods were found to be equally effective in maintaining a patent arterial introducer without risking infection and/or hemorrhage in the post-coronary angioplasty patient whose introducer remains indwelling for 24 hours.