Discharge Advice for Patients Following a Radial 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 your relative/carer to help and press firmly above the wound site. When help arrives, they should call 999 for an ambulance and explain that you are bleeding from the artery in your wrist following a procedure.
• Look out for any signs that the blood flow to your hand or fingers has been affected. If your hand becomes cold, discoloured or you have continuous pins and needles in the affected hand, you should seek medical attention immediately. If this is Monday to Friday between 8am and 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.
• Bruising is completely normal and sometimes this can extend up the forearm towards the elbow. If you are concerned, please ring the Cardiology Day Ward on 01305 254990 for advice.
• Spend the rest of the day resting at home and do not use the affected hand for 24 hours for anything. After 24 hours you can start to use the hand for eating and drinking and very light things, such as holding a book, using the computer etc for a couple of days.
• 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.
• Do not return to work until you have been advised to do so by your doctor or cardiac rehab nurse.
• If your arm 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 soak the affected arm in water 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: March 2020, June 2024
Review date: June 2027
Edition: v3

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