Coronary angioplasty in low risk patients with low dose heparin and immediate withdrawal of the femoral sheath

This study reports our preliminary experience of percutaneous coronary angi oplasty with low dose heparin and immediate withdrawal of the femoral sheat h. After selection, 120 patients underwent a procedure with a low dose of h eparin (4,300 +/- 700 IU). A total of 120 of 123 lesions (97.6%) were treat ed successfully by the femoral route. There were no major cardiac complicat ions during the procedure and hospital stay. Patients were allowed to be am bulant 6 hours after the procedure. No significant bleeding occurred. There was no need for surgery relative to the approach route nor for blood trans fusion. The use of low dose heparin and immediate withdrawal of the femoral sheath did not increase the risk of coronary angioplasty in these selected patients. The period of bed confinement was shortened and the patients wer e ambulant earlier leading to a reduction in their hospital stay with no in crease in costs.