After a procedure through the femoral artery, the small opening in the groin needs time to heal. Your discharge plan should identify how the artery was closed, what activity is allowed, and what to do if the site changes. Keep these instructions with the procedure report.
This guide concerns an arterial access site after angiography, angioplasty or another catheter-based procedure. The skin mark is only the visible part of the access route. Instructions depend on the procedure, closure method, medicines and your individual condition.
Know which changes need immediate help
Heavy or continuing bleeding, a rapidly enlarging painful groin swelling, faintness or collapse needs emergency assessment. Lie down, apply firm pressure at the puncture site as shown by your team, and have someone call your local emergency number. Do not drive yourself. Dorset County Hospital's femoral-angiogram advice explains the emergency response to access-site bleeding.
A newly cold, pale, numb or weak leg, severe leg pain, or severe new groin, abdominal or back pain also needs urgent emergency assessment. Significant bleeding can occur beneath the skin. West Suffolk's discharge guidance describes important warning signs after angiography or angioplasty. If you are seriously unwell, seek help immediately even when the symptoms differ from a checklist.
Find out how the site was closed
After the catheter is removed, staff may use manual pressure, a compression device or a vascular closure device to control bleeding. A closure device can use materials such as a plug or suture; ask for its name and any patient information card. The NHS explanation of angiography describes catheter removal, pressure and the monitored recovery period.
Before discharge, ask the nurse to show you the site and describe its current appearance. Record which side was used and whether any lump is expected with that particular closure method. This gives you a starting point for noticing change. Keep device details available for future catheter procedures.
Turn discharge advice into a practical home plan
Obtain explicit instructions for the dressing, washing, bathing, stairs, lifting, exercise, work and driving. Ask for dates or times where the instruction includes a restriction. Different procedures and institutions use different schedules; your treating team should resolve any conflict between leaflets.
Cambridge University Hospitals' aftercare information explains that bruising and some discomfort can occur and identifies redness, warmth, swelling and discharge as reasons to contact a clinician. A changing or worsening problem deserves assessment. If you are uncertain whether a change is expected, call the discharge contact and describe when it started, how it has changed and how you feel.
Review the medication list before leaving. Confirm any restart instructions for anticoagulants and the plan for antiplatelet medicines after stenting. Do not stop prescribed medicines to manage bruising yourself. If written and verbal instructions differ, contact the procedural team or pharmacist for clarification.
Separate wound follow-up from the procedure result
Confirm who will review the access site if needed and who will explain the angiogram or treatment outcome. Ask when the next appointment is due and what to do if you have heard nothing by that time. A healed skin opening and a completed cardiovascular follow-up are different milestones.
Keep daytime and after-hours numbers where a helper can find them. Use the portable health-summary guide to record the procedure and medicine changes. For a separate skin wound closed with stitches, see the stitches and follow-up guide.
A resource for the conversation
Save the femoral access: discharge questions and contact plan (editable text). Fill it in with the responsible team and keep your completed copy privately.
General patient education. Follow your clinical team's instructions for your care. Explore the medical guides.