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Complications from Catheterization, Angiogram or Angioplasty

Comments about nerve damage and/or other complications from the femoral (groin) puncture site that is made during an angiogram or angioplasty.

496 earlier postings can be found here: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and earlier.

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Current Postings (28)

• to JBD in Texas, blood in the urine is always a sign of a bladder infection (or worse) and is NOT related to the catheterization or closure devices. Please call your MD ASAP.
T.L., New York, USA, May 18, 2009

• Had femoral cath 2 days ago w/AngioSeal. Still limp from pain in groin but seems to be abating. Only just began walking this evening (any distance) but will stay conservative based on some of the comments here. Was thinking that I was being a big baby when the pain was causing me to limp - my GP was thinking I'd be running in a day or so. Think I will wait!
Mary L., New York, USA, May 16, 2009

• To all -- if you have had a procedure done via the groin/femoral artery and have a suspicion of internal bleeding post-angiogram/angioplasty, call your cardiologist ASAP. In a small percentage of cases, the arterial access site doesn't heal and close up. Sometimes this bleeding goes backward into the retroperitoneal cavity and is difficult to diagnose in the recovery room. It may be nothing, but better to be sure than not.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, May 16, 2009

• I had a cerebral angiogram done Friday 13 March 2009. Difficulties following this angiogram were minimal.

Friday - three days ago - 8 May 2009 - a second angiogram was done using the same right groin artery. This time I suffered right away with swelling at the back of my tongue and throat tightening, extreme shortness of breath and greatest difficulties trying to breathe, pain in the groin site and artery that continues down the leg to the top of the knee, extreme eye and brain pain immediately continuing through today, and severe back and kidney pain that is worsening today. I also experienced a raised temperature of three and a half degrees while in the recovery area Friday and have been chilling and cannot get warm since. Temperature Saturday was four degrees higher than normal and last night it was still two degrees higher. The arteries on both sides of my neck and into my chest and abdomen are visibly swollen and very sore. The left artery is "stiff" feeling and there is much pain and soreness at the base of my spine/head on the left side and on the right side the soreness in the artery continues through into the brain. My left eye orbit is very swollen and sore with much pain from the very moment the dye was injected to present. I have what to me feels like 'wet' lungs and difficulties in a odd type of a cough at times and wheezing with burning lungs.The only thing I had before the angiogram Friday was good health and a c-c fistula left side.At the hospital ONE nurse recognized these symptoms and tried to get someone to help with them above her, but she was unsuccessful with all of those who could have helped saying it is "just anxiety"! WRONG! why would I be anxious? I was fine they just did not want to acknowledge that I was in difficulties and it is their problem!I had the friend that took me for the angiogram stop by on the way back at the primary care doctor. He saw and knew I was in severe difficulties but told me to take the support supplements and try to rest and keep him informed. Fine. He is gone for the weekend by the next half hour. I have suffered greatly all Friday Saturday Sunday and continues today. I know there is something very wrong connected to the angiogram. It seems with the rash, fever, diarrhea and chilling with sore arteries and back pain with all of it together and shortness of breath difficulties with such things that it may be some form of vasculitis or something. I just do not want to do as the reports from the various medical sites say with these symptoms and die from a stupid procedure. I would rather die from the actual health concerns.

Please if anyone can help with what this is and what I can do I really appreciate it. And if I must try to obtain the medical "professionals" assistance What is it that they WILL hear and how do I tell them what is happening so they are alarmed and actually take me seriously?

The discharge instructions say if there is shortness of breath and so forth well that was going on at the time and ignored so was the pain and other difficulties they refused to acknowledge. Thanks.
VL, Provo, Utah, USA, May 11, 2009

• I had a catheterization on March 30, 2009. For the past three days have been having pain in the groin/abdomen area. I am now bleeding with urination. I do have frequent bladder infections, but this seems to be a lot more blood. Could the angio seal be leaking and bleeding into my bladder?
JDB, Texas, USA, May 8, 2009

• I had a DES in Sept. 08 and a very short time after I had pains in my chest and was puffing well on exertion. In Feb this year I had another Angio procedure and although the blood was flowing through the stent it appears an Aneurysm was also found. I went to the Munich Heart Centre and asked advice (and they were excellent) and they said they saw a lot of these aneurysms and mine was very low risk but it needed monitoring. It is apparently caused by a reaction to the DES or to the drug which the stent elutes or to Plavix..more probably a combination of the lot!! Interestingly he said the 'Angina' pain I was feeling was not from my heart but from my Bowels...and after I took the advice of changing the time in the day I took Plavix and did some detox treatment and took more exercise the pain in my chest has now gone and my breathing on exertion is slowly improving. I was also told that the pain I would expect to feel if something was wrong with my heart was as if a band was being tightened across my chest....then head for the nearest emergency hospital!!My aneurysm is being checked every once in a while but I am assured that the procedure used to treat this (should it be necessary..if it gets bigger) has been very successful. Another stent is inserted inside the first stent and the aneurysm disappears. (an aneurysm is caused when the stent does not imbed itself into the artery wall properly...the drug which the stent elutes which works to stop restenosis actually works against you).Apparently the other treatment involves blocking off the artery with something similar to a stent but not actually a stent and this is very high risk and I was advised not to have this done ever!Other things I should mention is that I have a known sensitivity to some drugs and have a blood clotting problem(probably genetic)and have a high cholesterol family problem.(also genetic).which was unknown to me and probably caused the restenosis in the first place!! Apart from being last in the queue for good genes I am happy and feel good. I am 67...So exercise, eat properly, watch those bowels, take as few pills as you can get away with (I take Plavix and huge doses of Lipitor and an aspirin a day) then forget your heart...Hope his helps somebody!!
Rosemary P., Sussex, United Kingdom, May 8, 2009

DW -- very sorry for your loss. This might have been what is known as a retroperitoneal bleed, where bleeding happens at the femoral site (could be due to a number of things) but the bleeding happens interiorly, back into the abdominal cavity, and sometimes it is not obvious to the eye. It's a serious complication and in some rare cases, like your relative's, can lead to death. Dr. John Coppola, in his interview with Angioplasty.Org, discusses how this led him (and others) to learn the radial approach where the wrist artery is used. But there might be other reasons for the bleeding in your mother-in-law's case -- strong anticoagulation is usually used during interventional procedures -- these can cause bleeding as well.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 18, 2009

• I had a heart catheterization test which came out negative but a month later I am having pain above the site area like pulling or needles and when moving, walking faster, I feel like I need to press and hold it from moving. I had a CT Scan to see if vein, etc. problems but it came out normal. What could this me?
JT, Tennessee, USA, April 14, 2009

• My mother in law died recently from massive internal bleeding following her stent procedure. She had the stent procedure done on Friday early morning and was discharged Friday evening. Following the procedure she vomited and her blood pressure dropped. Supposedly she was cleared for discharge though as her blood pressure remained stable for several hours. Upon returning home she started to feel very nauseous and have extreme back pain. When the doctor was called he said she was fine. At 1:00 AM she was rushed to the hospital due to difficulty breathing and remaining in excruciating pain. Although they believed by Saturday AM that her bleeding had stopped too much damage had been done - kidney failure, etc. She died Sunday evening. Does any of this make sense? There was no bruising at the site so we do not believe the bleeding was caused by that. She had a history of internal bleeding - does anyone have any info?
DW, New Jersey, USA, April 14, 2009

• Glen -- the bruising is known as a hematoma (very common to postings on this Forum topic). It is caused by blood under the skin. If it grows in size, definitely have it seen by the cardiologist. Has anyone at Mayo mentioned the transradial approach from the wrist??
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, March 27, 2009

• My husband had an angiogram done on 3/17/09 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They were not able to unblock the 100% blocked artery, but will try again in a couple weeks. However,that night after they turned him, he had a blow out & after much pressure put on it & blood pressure & heart rate dropped they were able to get everything back to normal. We came home the next day, but now one week later there is a 3 inch long, skinny hardening along the site of the artery, near the injection site. Also the bruising is approx. the size of a football, which is probably normal. Should we be concerned & get this long lump checked out?
Glen M., Minnesota, USA, March 25, 2009

• I had a femoral angiogram done on 03/17/09 in edmonton, alberta. I am 50 yrs old and suffer from angina, my family history has almost everyone dying of heart attacks, after my procedure the nurses had problems stopping the bleeding, after extended time used in applying pressure the bleeding stopped, twice while on bed rest I started to bleed again. The bruising around my injection site has increased in size and I still have a lot of pain, plus I still have a large hard lump at the site.
Stuart Affleck, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, March 20, 2009

• I had a heart catheterization in March 2008. My genitofemoral nerve has been damaged - the pain has been excruciating for one year. It has caused all sorts of other problems, but that was the original problem. Instead of using a closure device as I had had other times, they did compressions - but on the surgical table instead of a bead after you lay flat for 6-10 hours. The steel table hurt my back as well. Is it possible that that nerve could have been damaged - "nicked" as they say - since it is right beside that femoral nerve that they go in? Please Help me try to find a way to get my life back.
Peggy Patterson, Olathe, Kansas, USA, March 12, 2009

• I had an angiogram on July 13 2008. I was told that in 2 hours I should get up to use the bathroom and in 4 hours I could go home. 3 hours after the procedure I got a pain in my thigh that was so bad it made me vomit violently. I never even got out of the parking lot before I was rushed back into the ER. The first doctor told me straight to my face he thought I wanted pain meds. and there was nothing wrong, but the pain persisted. I was finally taken back and they did a sonogram and told me I had a blood clot in my leg in the same place they did the angiogram. For three days I was given blood thinners, shots in my stomach, pills, and IV. the pain was so bad after three days I was sure I was dead. At last a surgeon did a cat scan and found that I didn't have a blood clot but a hematoma the size of my fist. At first I was so glad to rid of the pain that is just indescribable that I thought it was over, of course I was wrong. When the feeling in my leg started to come back 4 months later I found I had another problem the nerves in my leg must be jumbled. I still have severe pain and cramps in my leg and its caused me to loose my job and ins. for my family. By the way I'm was only 30 and have 2 children under 6, I also am out of money and options. was told there is NOTHING I could do about it.
Gary F., Louisiana, USA, February 27, 2009

• 1 week ago I had an angiogram the entry was made in my upper arm. I have now a bruise from my armpit to my wrist. The bruising continued for 5 days. I just wondered if it was normal for the bruise to extend so far below the entry site? It covers almost 1/2 of my forearm. Seems to be subsiding now but still is slightly swelled and sore.
Perry, Smoke-N-Guns, Cottonwood, Arizona, USA, February 26, 2009

• I had a heart cath done on Dec. 13, 2008 with a stent in my main back artery (85% blocked). Everything was going well with the procedure until they put in my Angio Seal and I felt a horrible pain that brought tears to my eyes. As I laid in my bed for 4 hours afterwards, the nurses told me I was ok to move around. The next day they released me still having this pain. On the 2nd day after surgery I began feeling a pain in my groin, a burning sensation along with numbness in my right leg. I returned to my doctor 2 days later with a bruise from my belly button, around my right side and down my inter thigh past my knee. The pain and burning was so bad I couldn't walk. The nurse looked at it and told me to go home and put a heating pad on it and elevate my leg for 72 hours. On Jan 19, 2009 the doctor finally had an ultrasound done and told me that I had a very large hemorrhage and scheduled me for surgery the next day. When I arrived for my surgery the surgeon did another ultrasound and said he didn't see it and refused to do the surgery. The surgeon told me that the pain might go away in 2-3 days or 2-3 months. But gave me nothing for the pain. And because of all this I have lost my job because I am unable to work a full week. I am out of money and don't know where else to turn for help. The doctors and nurses have made me feel almost as if it is all in my head.
Donna, Gladstone, Missouri, USA, February 7, 2009

• I had my initial catheterization in July of 2007 and received a stent for the discovered blockage. In June of 2008, I experienced chest pains again, and underwent another cath procedure. The good news was, I had no additional blockage and the stent was clear. The bad news, when my doctor was removing the catheter, I vaguely remember jerking my leg and him telling me to stay still. It was more sore at the entry site than I remember the original incision being, which I kind of expected, given my movement, but now, in February 2009, my groin still feels tender. It actually feels more like a pulled groin tendon. It doesn't impair my movement at all, it just hurt a little bit. Should I be worried about this enough to go get it looked at? Will the minor pain go away in time? Thanks in advance for your answers! BTW, I think my cardiologist rocks. It wasn't his fault that I moved when I shouldn't have!
Jackie Hudson, Boulder, Colorado, USA, February 4, 2009

• Sounds like a hematoma. It's a bleeding complication from the femoral puncture. It may be minor and go away. If the bruise gets larger or the pain continues, call your cardiologist.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, February 4, 2009

• I had an angiogram in the groin and about 6 hours later upon rising, felt a "pop" in the groin followed by intense pain. I went to the ER and had an ultrasound to check for a pseudoaneurysm. Nothing was found. Six days later, I found black/purple bruising around site and down 6 inches on the thigh. Now, my groin still hurts and feels like I have packing in it and my entire leg gets discolored like I have a circulation problem. What is going on?
Pam, Arizona, USA, February 4, 2009

• Kevin -- your mom had a serious bleeding complication from the femoral puncture. Happens about 3% of the time. Maybe more. Any further bleeding should be checked immediately.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, February 2, 2009

• my mom went in for her second stent and had problems after the procedure. she bled a lot where the catheter was inserted. the had to put a lot of pressure on it for about 10 to 15 min. for the bleeding to stop. Her blood pressure dropped fast and they had to put something in her i.v. to make her b.p. go back up. she stayed over night in the a.c.c. and blood pressure dropped again...75 over 15. they gave her a blood transfusion of two pints. she came home the following day. now, she has a hard egg shaped ball where the catheter was started. it has grown some, and the doctor has not called her back. what could it be? and should she go to the emergency room? concerned son!
Kevin Snedecor, concerned son, Austin, Texas, USA, January 27, 2009

• Four months back my father suffered heart attack and we did his coronary angiography. Since his angiography my father is suffering from following problems - a) severe burning sensation in feet (cannot put his shoes on due to pain) b) pains / severe pricking sensation radiating from ankle to leg c) foot turning red at night d) pain invariably worsens at night and he can't sleep. e) cannot walk due to pain f) Very less sensation in feet

My father is diabetic patient and suffers from varicose veins. Have done following diagnostics test - a) Nerve conduction test (Electromyo graph) b) MRI scan c) Doppler test of right leg Doctors have told following things - a) Diabetic neuropathy (peripheral) b) Lumbar stenosis c) Peripheral arterial disease Taken following treatments - For Lumbar stenosis: Traction for eight days, IFT, long wave and laser therapy. Result: Pain that radiated from hip to leg reduced. For nerve pain: Since the foot was looking red and looking swollen Dr put him on steroids for 4 days. They said he might have "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome" or "Raynauds Syndrome" and discharged. Steroids stopped and gabapentin is started. PAD: Dr has advised another angiography of leg. But we are wary to do this as this might trigger another pain. Dr advised to wear stockings for his varicose veins Before angiography his walking was limited due to pain in legs, but after some rest he was able to walk again. But this angiography has broken down something and Dr is not able to diagnose the burning pain in his right feet. He has very less sensation and cannot even wear his shoes as it pains. Can some one please help? Thanks.
Sumeet, Pune, India, January 26, 2009

• Pauline -- when you lay on your back for an extended time, especially afterwards while the femoral puncture site heals, you anbd many others experience back pain --it's one reason we are advocating greater use of the radial artery in the wrist -- patients can sit up and walk almost immediately after the procedure.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, January 17, 2009

• i had a heart attack in sept and had an angiogram done and a stent put in . now january i had another angiogram done no stent put in my question is has anyone suffered back pain from this procedure?
Pauline Lawless, a mum, Dublin, Ireland, January 14, 2009

• My husband had an angiogram (no stenting) some two months ago and all has progressed well but he occasionally experiences slight spasms in the chest (midline and to the right) which only last a few moments but can be quite unnerving. These spasms can occur at any time and are not particularly painful. Has anyone had similar experiences?
G.D., Ballarat, Australia, January 8, 2009

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