Efficacy of Hypothermic Compression Bandages in Cardiac Device Surgical Wounds: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Pocket hematoma is the most prevalent complication with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), especially in patients who are undergoing oral anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of hypothermic compression bandaging versus conventional compression bandaging for the prevention of surgical wound hematoma of CIEDs in patients who are undergoing chronic anticoagulant drug use and/or antiplatelet therapy.

METHODS

This was a single-center randomized prospective study. The intervention group received a hypothermic compression bandage, and the control group received a conventional compression bandage. The primary endpoint was the appearance of hematoma 10 days after the intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 310 patients participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 73.77 ± 10.68 years, and 74.8% were men. In the intervention group, 5.88% (n = 18) of patients developed ecchymosis, and 1.3% (n = 4) developed mild hematoma. In the control group, 5.88% (n = 18) of patients developed ecchymosis, and 2.9% (n = 9) developed mild hematoma. No patient in either group had a severe hematoma. No significant differences were observed between the two types of dressing in any of the three degrees of hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that compression bandaging with or without hypothermic therapy effectively prevents pocket hematoma of CIEDs in patients at high risk of bleeding.