Incidence of hemorrhagic complications with use of a radial compression device: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the incidence of hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing radial cardiac catheterization and using a hemostatic device for arterial compression.

METHOD: A prospective cohort study conducted with patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization in two hemodynamic laboratories in southern Brazil. The TR Band® radial compression device was used during 4 hours for hemostasis of the arterial puncture site. Hematomas and minor bleeding were the outcomes evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 244 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 63.5±10.9 years, 61.9% were male, 73.8% had systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and 42.8% were dyslipidemic. Type I hematoma occurred in 1.2% of patients and minor bleeding in 9% after removal of the device. There was no significant association between hematomas and bleeding, and patients who used oral anticoagulants (p=0.604) and prior use of antiplatelets (p=0.958).

CONCLUSION

The use of the hemostatic device for radial artery compression was safe in clinical practice and there was a low incidence of hematomas and minor bleeding after radial coronary angiography.