BACKGROUND: Few investigators have examined the time of removal of femoral sheaths after interventional procedures and its effect on patients' hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. OBJECTIVE: To determine if hematocrit and hemoglobin values differed significantly according to the length of time femoral sheaths remained in place after interventional procedures. METHODS: After a review of the literature, data were collected on a convenience sample consisting of 2 groups. Patients in group 1 (n = 30) had femoral sheaths removed within 3.5 to 9.0 hours (mean, 5.5 hours) after an interventional procedure. Patients in group 2 (n = 30) had the sheaths removed within 17 to 36 hours (mean, 22 hours) after an interventional procedure. Blood samples were obtained from all patients before the interventional procedure (baseline values) and again 1 day after the procedure. Patients in group 1 had sheaths removed before the second blood sample was obtained; patients in group 2 did not. Data were analyzed by using an equal-variance t test to determine if hematocrit and hemoglobin values differed significantly between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Hematocrit and hemoglobin values the day after interventional procedure differed significantly in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Earlier removal of femoral sheaths may have a beneficial physiological effect. The results indicate that prompt removal of femoral sheaths after interventional procedures improves patients' outcomes.

1998
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