RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Transfemoral coronary angiography (TFCA) may be associated with postoperative complications, such as oozing, bleeding, ecchymosis, hematoma, and back pain. Thus, nursing practice must help enhance patient safety post-TFCA. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the association of position change and back massage (PCBM) and early ambulation (EA) with the development of post-TFCA complications. METHODS: This study adopted a randomized controlled trial design and was conducted at the coronary care unit of a university hospital in Egypt. A sample of 185 patients undergoing TFCA was evaluated during the first 6 h post-TFCA and randomly assigned to either the PCBM (n = 92) or EA (n = 93) group, with the latter receiving the intervention after the first 3 h post-TFCA. The patients were assessed using the Post-transfemoral Coronary Angiography Complication assessment tool. RESULTS: Comparing the two groups based on post-TFCA complications, the PCBM group had a lower frequency of bleeding, ecchymosis, hematoma and severe lower back pain whereas the EA group had a lower frequency of oozing, all of which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PCBM post-TFCA can lower the frequency of significant vascular complications. RECOMMENDATION: Adopting PCBM may be valuable in post-TFCA nursing practice.