Discharge Advice for Patients Following a Femoral Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

• Following this type of procedure you must have someone with you for 24 hours following discharge from hospital.
• If the wound should bleed or swell, shout for help and lie yourself flat. Apply firm pressure approximately 2cm above the wound site. When help arrives, they should call 999 for an ambulance and explain that you are bleeding from the artery in the top of the leg following a procedure. They should then come back and take over the pressure (as shown by the nurse before leaving hospital) until the ambulance crew arrives.
• Look out for any signs that the blood flow down your leg has been affected. If your leg becomes cold, discoloured or you have continuous pins and needles in the affected leg then you should seek medical attention immediately. If this is Monday to Friday between 8am-6pm come back to the Cardiology Day Ward (ring 01305 254990 to let us know you are coming). Out of these hours go to the Emergency Department.
• If you have had an Angioseal (collagen plug) inserted to seal the artery, this will dissolve by itself over the next 90 days. These work very well provided they are given time to settle in and are not dislodged as your artery is healing. Please support the wound site with your hand if you need to cough, laugh or sneeze over the next 48 hours and avoid bending down or bending your leg up.
• Bruising is completely normal and sometimes this can extend down the thigh towards the knee. If you are concerned, you can ring the Cardiology Day Ward on 01305 254990 for advice.
• Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, such as riding a bike, digging the garden and playing sports for at least seven days after the procedure.
• Do not drive for one week post PCI as per DVLA regulations. However, if you were admitted to hospital with a heart attack, the doctors and nurses will be able to advise you when it is safe to start driving again. This may be up to four weeks.
• If your leg aches or becomes painful (this is common and can sometimes persist for several days to weeks) take one to two Paracetamol 500mg tablets four to six hourly if required (always follow the instructions on the packaging). If pain persists ring the Cardiology Day Ward on 01305 254990 for advice.
• You can shower from the following day. Do not scrub the wound site and pat dry with a towel. Do not have a bath or swim until the wound is healed and dry.
• Remove the dressing after 24 hours. You do not need to recover the wound as long as it is kept clean and dry.
• Continue to drink plenty of fluid, this helps to flush the ‘dye’ out through your kidneys. Do not drink any alcohol within the first 24 hours following your procedure.

If you have any further worries or concerns, you can contact the Cardiology Day Ward for advice on 01305 254990 between the hours of 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

About this leaflet

Author: Laura Starr, Senior Sister, Cardiology
Written: January 2017
Updated and approved: June 2024
Review date: June 2027
Edition: v2

If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk