Pressure dressings and postarteriographic care of the femoral puncture site.

Patient dissatisfaction with prolonged bed rest and the discomfort caused by pressure dressings led to the following evaluation. Alternate application of pressure dressings and band-aids to femoral artery puncture sites was performed in 754 arteriographic examinations. The application of pressure dressings for 16-24 hours, especially in hypertensive patients, was found to be justified by a significant reduction in delayed bleeding requiring further medical attention. A minimum application time of 8 hours is supported because all instances of delayed bleeding occurred within 8 hours of the procedure. Arterial thrombosis is not affected by the use of pressure dressings. The rationale for recommendation of bed rest is largely anecdotal and is supported by almost all experienced angiographers responding to our questionnaire.