Effect of Femoral Region Ice Bag Application on Patients' Clinical Outcomes

Complications associated with PCI significantly impact patient outcomes and place substantial demands on healthcare systems. These adverse events contribute to increased morbidity and mortality rates, prolonged hospitalizations, higher healthcare expenditures, and longer 0waiting times for subsequent cardiac procedures. (Guedeney et al., 2024; Ntow, Agyeman, Aryal, & Patel, 2024) . Postoperative pain remains a prevalent concern following PCI, particularly after femoral catheter removal, with approximately 33% of patients reporting discomfort at the access site (Al-Zuhairi & Abed, 2024).

Although this pain typically subsides over time, it can significantly affect patient comfort and recovery in the immediate post-procedural phase. In addition to pain, hematoma formation is among the most frequent vascular complications associated with femoral artery access, with a reported prevalence of up to 15.5% (Zhi et al., 2024). These hematomas, resulting from bleeding at the puncture site, can range from minor bruising to substantial blood collections, potentially leading to pain, swelling, and further clinical complications (Hamdi, Abd El Megeed, Abd Al Ghaffare, & Abdelmowla, 2023). Traditional pressure application remains a commonly employed strategy in clinical settings for managing such hematomas and mitigating their progression (Rodgers et al., 2025).

Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, is a well-established non-pharmacological intervention widely utilized in clinical practice to alleviate pain, reduce swelling, and control inflammation. This method typically involves the localized application of ice packs or bags, which may range from specially designed medical devices to simple waterproof plastic bags (Garcia, Karri, Zacharias, & Abd-Elsayed, 2021). In the context of PCI care, cryotherapy has shown promise in minimizing vascular complications following femoral arterial sheath removal. The application of a cold pack to the femoral region can aid in reducing pain, controlling bleeding, and limiting hematoma formation.

The therapeutic effect is primarily attributed to the vasoconstriction induced by cold exposure, which enhances coagulation, decreases local blood flow, and increases blood viscosity (Al-Bayati & Al-Kassar, 2023). Additionally, it decreases temperature by primarily reducing metabolic activity, which reduces inflammatory response as well as reduces nerve conductivity, thereby slowing pain impulse transmission and decreasing pain perception and tissue damage (Behera & Shetty, 2023).

The significance of this study lies in its potential to enhance post-PCI patient care through a simple, non-pharmacological intervention. Growing evidence supports the clinical effectiveness of ice bag application in managing complications associated with femoral catheter removal. Research by )Al-Zuhairi and Abed 2024), and )Pamuk and Özkaraman 2024), confirmed that localized ice therapy significantly alleviates pain and reduces vascular complications following PCI, emphasizing its role in improving patient comfort and outcomes.