Effect of Position Change After Coronary Angiography on Pain, Vital Signs, Comfort, and Vascular Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: The supine position given to patients after femoral angiography causes pain. Pain causes changes in vital signs, impaired comfort, and vascular complications. AIMS: To investigate the effect of position change on pain, vital signs, comfort, and vascular complications after femoral angiography was the aim of this study. METHODS: This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The study included 60 volunteer patients undergoing femoral angiography. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Visual Analog Scale, the Immobilization Comfort Scale, and a Vascular Complications Form. Experimental group patients were given supine position with 15° head angle, semi-fowler position with 30° head angle, and right or left lateral position with 15° head angle every 2 h after sheath removal. Control group patients were given supine position for 6 h as a routine practice of the clinic. RESULTS: Following the position change, the mean visual analog scale pain score and systolic and diastolic blood pressure scores decreased significantly in the experimental group, and the Immobilization Comfort Scale score increased. In the control group, the mean visual analog scale pain score increased significantly, and the Immobilization Comfort Scale score decreased. No significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in terms of bleeding/leakage and ecchymosis/hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that position changes after femoral angiography had positive effects on pain, vital signs, and comfort. However, no significant difference was observed in vascular complications. Future studies should evaluate different position change protocols and their long-term effects on larger groups.