Discharge Advice following a Cardiac Angiography (Femoral)

Patient Information

Cardiac Catheter Laboratory

Discharge Advice following Cardiac Angiography

• You should be accompanied home and have a friend/relative to stay with you over night. 
• If severe bleeding occurs at the puncture site, lie down, and apply firm pressure. Ask your friend/relative to ring 999 and return immediately to your nearest Accident & Emergency Department.
• If you experience fever, bleeding, persistent tenderness or swelling in the groin, redness and or warm to touch, numbness or pain, discharge, or rash you must go immediately to your nearest A&E department. 
• Modify activities for 48 hours– no straining, lifting greater than 5kg.
• If coughing, sneezing, or straining occurs during the first 12 hours, be advised to place your hand firmly over the puncture site to support it. 
• It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids, especially water over the next few days; this will assist with flushing the dye out of your body. 
• It is advisable to refrain from the consumption of alcohol for 24 hours. 
• Do not have a bath or shower until the following day and take extra care when washing and drying the puncture site. A dressing should be left in place for 24 hours.
• Refrain from driving for at least 48 hours following your angiogram and 7 days following an angioplasty.
• Sometimes bruising of the groin, leg or abdomen may occur and a small lump may be present for several weeks. If you feel pain or the lump enlarges, see your GP. 
• If you take Metformin do not take for 48 hours following your angiogram. 
• If you take Warfarin, Apixaban, Dabigatran, Edoxaban or Rivaroxaban you may restart it on the evening following your angiogram unless the Doctor has instructed otherwise.

Please contact the Cardiac Catheter Lab on 01942 773392 if you have questions.