Bed rest after cardiovascular implantable electronic device placement: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Bed rest is prescribed for all patients after cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) placement but to a varied extent. Different clinical protocols exist. AIM: To assess the effects of different lengths of bed rest on complications and patient comfort after CIED implantation. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, SCOPUS. We included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials. Two of the authors independently selected trials, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data. RESULTS: We included 2 RCTs. There was no evidence that shorter bed rest was more harmful than longer bed rest in terms of lead displacement (RR 0.681, 95% CI [0.063, 7.332]) and hematoma (RR 1.642, 95% CI [0.282, 9.560]). None of the studies reported the assessment of bleeding, back pain, or urinary discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Shorter periods of bed rest appear to be as safe as longer ones. However, to confirm these results, further larger trials are needed.