Safety of decreasing bedrest after coronary angiography

This study was designed to assess the safety of allowing patients to ambulate after 2 hr of bedrest following coronary angiography. A total of 205 patients were randomized to either 2 or 4 hr of bedrest following hemostasis after angiography utilizing five, six, or seven French catheters. The primary endpoint was defined as bleeding requiring recompression and additional bedrest. No significant difference was demonstrated overall between the two groups with respect to rebleeding or hematoma formation when the angiogram was performed using five or six French catheters. However, the use of seven French catheters resulted in a significantly higher rebleeding rate in the 2-hr group compared to the 4-hr population. The findings of this study suggest that 2 hr of bedrest following angiography utilizing five or six French catheters is adequate to obtain hemostasis safely in the majority of patients, whereas 4 hr is suggested when seven French catheters are utilized.