Effect of Cold Application on Pain, Ecchymosis, and Comfort After Transradial Coronary Angiography

This randomized controlled experimental study aimed to determine the effect of coldapplication after transradial coronary angiography on patients' pain, bruising(ecchymosis), comfort levels, and the duration of TR band placement. The study wasconducted in the coronary intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Istanbul,Türkiye, between July 2023 and July 2024.A total of 104 adult patients who underwent transradial coronary angiography and weremonitored with a TR band for bleeding control were included. Patients were randomlyassigned to intervention (cold application) and control groups using a computer‐generatedsimple randomization method.In the intervention group, cold packs prepared by placing gel compresses in a freezer for2‐3 hours were applied to the wrist area. Cold application started immediately afteradmission to the coronary ICU and was performed for 15 minutes every hour until the TRband was removed. After the TR band was removed, cold application continued every 2 hoursfor 15 minutes. The control group received routine post‐procedural care without coldapplication.Pain levels were assessed hourly using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Bruising wasmonitored by measuring the hematoma size using a ruler and marking its borders on theskin to track changes. Patient comfort was evaluated twice: at ICU admission and when theTR band was removed, using the Early Postoperative Comfort Scale (EPCS). Laboratoryvalues (aPTT, PT, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets) were collected from patients'routine clinical results before and after the procedure.The primary outcomes of the study were pain, ecchymosis, and comfort levels. Thesecondary outcome was the duration of TR band placement.The study hypotheses were as follows:Cold application after transradial coronary angiography is effective in reducing painlevels.Cold application reduces the development of ecchymosis.Cold application improves patient comfort.Cold application shortens the duration of TR band placement.The study aimed to provide evidence on the effectiveness of a simple, non‐pharmacologicalintervention ‐ cold application ‐ to improve post‐procedural comfort and reducecomplications in patients undergoing transradial coronary angiography.