Post-Operative Information: Angiography/Angioplasty/Stent

The following instructions will guide you on how to care for the angiogram puncture site.

Care of your incision:

• Keep the dressing on for 24 hours after the procedure. After this time you may remove the dressing.
• You may shower the day after your procedure. Let the dressing get wet in the shower, remove it and then gently clean the site using soap and water.
• Dry thoroughly. Do not use lotions or powders.
• Cover the site with a Band-Aid or plaster. This will keep the site clean and dry to prevent infection. If the bandage becomes wet, remove that one and replace the new one. Use Band-Aids or plaster until the site has healed over.
• Do not sit in a bath or swim in a swimming pool for 5 days or until wound has healed.
• Inspect the site daily.

Activity:

• You must be driven home from hospital. No driving for 2 days (longer if you have a commercial licence).
• Rest for 1-2 days. Walking slowly around the block for 10 minutes is ideal exercise and is allowable.
• You may resume normal activity in 2 days, including driving, letting pain be your guide.
• Limit lifting over 5 kgs for one week or until wound heals.

Normal Observations:

• Soreness or tenderness that may last one week. (Take Panadol, Dymadol, Panamax, Panadeine).
• Mild oozing from incision site.
• Possible bruising that could last 2 weeks.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following within 48 hours:

• Significant bleeding. Lie down and apply pressure for 10 minutes.
• Increased swelling of groin or leg.
• Unusual pain at groin or down the leg.
• Signs of infection: redness, warmth to touch, drainage (other than a little blood on the bandage), poorly healing incision, fever or chills.