Cardiac catheterization remains the most definitive procedure for diagnosis and evaluation of coronary artery
disease. Aim: this study was carried out to investigate the impact of early ambulation post transfemoral coronary
procedures on back pain, urinary discomfort and vascular complications. Design: a quasi-experimental design.
Setting: in catheterization and coronary care units. Subjects: A convenience sample of all adult educable and
mentally competent male and female patients aged from (18-60 years old) who are scheduled for non-emergency
percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary angiography (CA) through femoral artery during a period
from july 2010 to june2011 were eligible for inclusion in the sample. Tools: Four tools were utilized to collect
data pertinent to the study, tool assessment of patients after femoral sheath removal and angioplasty data tool II:
assessment of back pain tool III: urinary discomfort assessment tool. tool IV: vascular complications
measurement after femoral cardiac catheterization Methods: patients in the study group were ambulate after
four hours bed rest post transfemoral PCI and 2 hours after CA, whereas patients in the control group were
ambulate after 12–24 hours post transfemoral PCI and 6-8 hours after CA(usual care). Results: Finding of the
present study revealed that a significant statistical difference was existed between both studied groups in relation
to back pain and urinary discomfort for PCI and CA. As regards to vascular complication, no significant
statistical differences were put into evidence between both studied groups. Conclusion: early ambulation is safe
and feasible for patients undergoing PCI and CA.
Key words: early ambulation, femoral coronary procedures, back pain, urinary discomfort, nurse's role, and
vascular complications.