A prospective study of early ambulation 90 minutes post-left heart catheterization using a retrospective comparison group.

BACKGROUND: Despite a trend toward a reduction in bedrest time after left heart catheterization (LHC) in many Canadian centres, an evidence-based standard of practice has not been established. Canadian bedrest times range from two to four hours post-LHC. Two recent prospective non-randomized studies (n = 1,000) indicate safety of ambulation at 60 and 90 minutes post-LHC. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine safety of ambulating patients at 90 minutes post-LHC sheath removal compared to the current practice of ambulation at three to four hours post-sheath removal. DESIGN: The study was a prospective non-concurrent design with a retrospective control. METHOD/SAMPLE: Retrospective data from the APPROACH database and chart reviews were analyzed for a period of six months for the control group on the traditional three- to four-hour ambulation protocol (n = 402). Prospective data were gathered for six months for the experimental group (n = 193). RESULTS: There was no difference in complication rates for the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that early ambulation for selected patients at 90 minutes is safe and has the potential to increase both patient comfort and quality of care.