Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of outpatient cardiac catheterization
on stable patients at low risk. We present our experience with four French catheters
in 104 patients (72 male, 32 female, mean age 51 years old) with coronary angiography
done as an outpatient procedure. No heparin was given during the procedure. After
initial hemostasis had been attained, the patients returned to day center with vital
signs monitored regularly. Patients were allowed ambulation after 4 hours' bed rest
and were discharged the same afternoon. Normal coronary angiogram study was found
in 76% of the study population. Single-vessel disease, double-vessel disease, triple-vessel
disease, and left-main disease were found in 12%, 9.6%, 2%, and 1%, respectively.
Nearly all of the patients demonstrated normal ventricular contraction (99%). Average
procedural time was 20.2±4.4 minutes. Average hemostatic time was 8.4±3.1 minutes.
No mortality directly attributed to the catheterization occurred in our study population.
Moreover, there were no myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary edema, severe allergic
reaction, and cerebrovascular accident. Femoral puncture site complication was only
limited to superficial skin bruise. Quality of the cineangiogram was good in majority
of the patients. Therefore, this study demonstrates that outpatient cardiac catheterization
using four French Judkins catheter is a safe and cost-effective procedure.
