  |
|
 
Complications from Femoral (Leg) Catheterization, Angiogram or Angioplasty(2009 archive)
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Archived Postings from 2009 on This Page (83): • 8 months after cardio cath I have right side pain
and swelling (with the groin and leg the most intense) and feel the femoral
nerve was hit. Like all I have read, the test results showed "normal" I
still have pockets of what feels like fluid that keeps coming up in my
right leg to the knee, the right hip and pelvic area and even under my
breast all with associated pain. My right arm will also have occasional
pains. The numbness/tingling also affects the right side of my face. Like
everyone else the surgeon "has never heard of this before". The neurologist
had no answer except don't do anything that I think makes it worse. Does
anyone have this numbness on all of right side or get the pockets of fluid? • My Husband had angiogram done, few day later,
he developed swelling to left scrotum. His cardiologist is consulted, he
ordered Ultrasound of the left femoral incision area and the left scrotum
and referral to Urologist. He said the swelling will go down. My husband
still have the swelling, now complaining of pain. I am always skeptical
of invasive procedure and the possible complications. I hope this does
not develop into a problem for a young man with multiple medical issues.What
can i expect from the doctor and what question should i be concern with
at this time. I am a registered Nurse • I had a cardiac catheterization Oct. 23, 2009.
They put a stent in my LAD for a clogged artery. I am experiencing leg
pain & cramping in my front right thigh and my right calf and some numbing
and tingling sensations in my right foot. I had bad bruising on the inside
of my right leg almost down to my knee after the cath. I developed a blood
clot at the sight of cath the day after but it has been gone for a while
now. I have been seen by a vascular surgeon and a neurologist to try and
determine why I am still having leg pain. I have good blood flow in my
leg determined by the vascular doctor. The only thing the neurologist can
come up with is the bruising I sustained in my leg is the culprit of my
pain. The bruising has been gone for a good 5 or 6 weeks. He doesn't want
to do an EMG until I am off my Coumadin. Is this answer possible? How long
could I have this leg pain? • I had an angiogram to rule out an aneurysm. Since
then my left thigh has been numb, along with leg pain, sometimes the pain
is intense. The right side is where puncture site is, it also hurts ,but
the pain on the left side is more intense and constant. I called the neurosurgeon
and his nurse said he said to contact my primary care physician. • David -- never heard of a "noroma".
Anyone else?? But nerve trauma is not unknown in catheter-based procedures,
especially femoral, as you can see by the number of posts here. • Had a left leg catheterization [as needed for
heart pump] on Oct. 19, 2009 and as of now Dec. 14 I still have on a pain
scale of 1-10 a constant 8 for 24/7. Surgeon says femoral nerve was damaged
in the process. Have had several injections to the nerve starting at L2
in my back. Surgeon says now that it is probably a "Noroma?'' in the nerve
and will have to find it and have it removed. Anyone heard of this one
before? • I had a femoral angioplasty done due to blockage
in my right thigh. Everything was great for 3-4 weeks.then it came back.
I went into surgery, they installed a sheath. A little while later as i
was in ICU my leg from the knee down swelled up,got rock hard,and hurt
so bad I told them to cut it off. THey took me back into surgery and did
whatever needed to be done and everything seemed to be ok.That was 6 weeks
ago and what they say is nerve damage in my foot is still hurting. Is this
normal or should I get help? • Deborah -- A blockage or clot would most likely
cause pain. See the posting below about
nerve trauma from catheterization. Perhaps this might explain something,
but please let the Forum know what you find out from her appointments. • I am a nurse and am confused with a complication
my mom experienced 1 day post angiogram. She acutely experienced bilateral
leg weakness and numbness causing her to fall. She went to the ER. A CT,
echocardiogram and labs were done. No change from the previous tests a
week ago. Its 4 days post angio and she continues with bilateral leg weakness
and numbness and complains about sacral numbness. Could this be plaque
or a clot that lodged in her lower spine? She is seeing her cardiologist
and primary MD today. Thank you. • Daniela -- some people are highly allergic to
contrast media. There are different types, formulations and brands. The
hospital or cath lab should be able to provide you and your mother with
the exact brand and concentration used of contrast agent (it's part of
the patient record/report) so this type can be avoided if any future procedures
are warranted. • My mother was submitted to an angiogram procedure.
She had a severe immunological reaction - anaphylactic shock - to the radio-opaque
contrast agent. Nobody was able to tell me what is the radio-opaque contrast
agent. I really would like to know. Besides, is there any chance of finding
the same compound in any other circumstances? She really can't be in contact
with that compound. • For readers who are still
having tingling, numbness or similar pain -- if you read through this topic
and the archive, you'll find similar stories. This may be due to nerve
trauma -- the femoral nerve runs parallel to the femoral artery and it
is possible that between the needle stick and catheter manipulations that
nerve can become irritated or inflamed -- or even damaged. Hopefully this
is temporary in most cases (and it's relatively uncommon to begin with).
But this is not an unknown complication of femoral access catheterization. • Beginning on 2nd day following angiogram (access
from right femoral artery) and worsening now on 4th day. Started as mild
cold, tingling, numbness both legs and feet. Progressed to pain in left
groin same spot as insertion of catheter on right, left leg and foot are
very hot, right leg and foot are cold, also on right leg pinching pain
in area of femoral artery below insertion point, definitely more pain and
pressure on left side. Left area feels like its vibrating and tingling
in groin and down the left leg. Could there a be a blockage on right forcing
more blood to go down the left side? Maybe it doesn't work that way. Please
advise. • I HAD ANGIOPLASTY DONE LAST YEAR. THEY WENT THROUGH
THE RIGHT GROIN. AFTER THEY PULLED THE WIRE OUT, LIKE THE NEXT DAY, THERE
WAS AN EXTREMELY LARGE BUMP PLUS IT HURT A LOT. THEY SAID IT WAS A HEMATOMA.
WHY AFTER A YEAR DO I STILL HAVE IT? THE PAIN IS GONE. • Last Wednesday I had an angiogram via right femoral
artery. I went home three hours after it was done. It has a collagen plug.
Thursday I felt a pop and had horrific pain and couldn't move, we called
911 and went to ER. They did ultrasound and found a pseudoaneurysm and
applied pressure using the ultrasound wand. It was very painful- worse
than childbirth. The ultrasound showed they stopped the leak and I was
sent home with 3 days bed rest and off work for a week. I still have pain
on my right side however my cardiologist doesn't think it is another hematoma
as the pain is deep inside and is soft tissue, and higher up, near appendix.
It doesn't make sense to me that the pain would be unrelated to the procedure
or the pressure applied at the ER. When I cough or sneeze its very painful,
if I rest and don't move I don't have any pain. I have been bloated the
past few days too. Any thoughts on what this could be? Thanks. • Its Russian roulette I had a cerebral angiogram
done in 1990 It damaged my eye sight with Retinal bleeding and the whole
left side of my body has been in unbelievable pain every since. It feels
like the catheter is still lodged in my leg and even to this day Im discovering
more vascular complication due to this prouder. A word of advice please
read every line of the fine print on the consent form before having one
done. • Susan from Georgia -- we assume your angiogram
was done from the femoral artery (not the wrist). If so, what side was
used? Usually it's the right femoral (groin) artery in which case it would
seem that the swelling in your left foot is unrelated. Some medicines,
including BP meds, can cause swelling of the extremities. Did you start
taking any new meds since the cath was done? • I had a cardiac cath 7 weeks ago and left ankle
and foot is swollen and sore and sometimes cannot feel. Never had any swelling
before. They found a blockage but trying to control with BP meds. I never
has sxs and was just trying to get knee surgery. I am afraid now to get
open heart surgery as my cardiologist is unhelpful about my left leg (couldn't
walk for a couple weeks). Is it common to have such problems? • Connie -- as you can see from the many postings
here, a bruise, a.k.a. hematoma, is not an uncommon complication from angio
procedures. Bleeding fro the arterial site can be serious, so you certainly
did the right thing. We assume the bleeding complication was stabilized.
Bleeding complications occur in about 3 out of 100 procedures, although
we believe there are more because many minor ones never get reported. The
purple bruising is the blood that leaked and should reabsorb into the body
in a few weeks at most. If the pain continues, let your cardiologist know.
And let the Forum know. • I had an Angiogram recently and the result showed
that one of my arteries was very thin and that is what had lead to the
procedure in the first place. I had a stress test which indicated possibly
a blockage. I was told this procedure was very simple and should cause
no problems at all. Two days after the procedure I had a severe pain in
my groin which sent me to the floor and the pain continued. Actually I
had pain from the minute I got home from the hospital. The next day I was
sent back to the ER and they found blood leaking from a tear in the artery.
An ultrasound was done and it is now one week later and I have bruising
from my groin to my knee and almost completely around the leg, pain continues
in the leg and in my back. I called the doctor and they said this is normal.
What do I do now? • Can abdominal distention be related to vagioseal
[angioseal?] complications. I had a body rash that resembled a heat rash
and now have abdominal distention. • Dear Wayne,I can understand how you feel. I have
been posting about my fathers scrotum hematoma. He finally was released
from the hospital and is doing very well. This all started on July 21st.
His hematoma was the size of a large melon. I never saw someone in so much
pain before. It has been 25 days now and it is about half the size. We
have him up and walking. He can even walk up and down stairs now. The pain
is pretty much gone but he still has the large problem between his legs.
It is more of an inconvenience now as far as sitting down and walking.
He still keeps his ice packs on it and keeps it elevated as much as possible.
That's pretty much all he can do until it goes away. I wish you luck and
patience! • I recently had a RS Transfemoral Cath with negative
result. A couple of hours following discharge I experienced what almost
can be described as a "pop" followed by intense pain at the puncture site
and rapid swelling. I immediately went into the ER (could barely walk or
move. A vascular sonogram was done to rule out a pseudoaneurysm and was
negative. The doc said it was local internal bleeding which would stop
(it did but I wasn't too convinced) and my now huge hematoma would resolve
in a few weeks. The hematoma extended from above puncture site to anus
and filled the scrotum. • Patricia -- read our related Forum Topic on Vascular
Closure Devices -- you'll find similar stories. And Judy -- we currently
have over 1,000 postings in these two topics alone, so your experience
is certainly not unknown. • I had a diagnostic angiogram more than a year
ago, and I still am having a lot of pain from it! About 22 hours after
the angiogram was done, first thing in the morning, my nurse was in my
room dispensing my am meds. I was sitting, doing nothing, when all of a
sudden I felt like someone had sliced the entire inside of my right thigh
with a branding iron! Within a few seconds I had a golf ball lump where
the angiogram was done. That quickly grew even bigger. I was whisked down
to have an ultrasound and they found nothing! That was repeated a couple
of days later and they found a small aneurysm but didn't do anything with
it! From that time on, the pain was just intense! Pain killers was all
I was offered! Over the next week the bruising began to appear. At it's
peak it about encompassed most of my right thigh from the groin to with
in a few inches of my knee and about wrapped around my leg. This lasted
for about 4 months. They said this was normal!? After reading the stories
on here I am no longer wondering why I am still experiencing the pain I
am in. I can also see if this were so common, there would be many more
stories like mine! I can not stand for long periods of time at all! • Had an angiogram in Nov. '07 the very next day
I had an appointment with the doctor who performed the surgery. When I
got out of bed to get ready I had excruciating pain in the right leg, needed
assistance to get to the car, I explained the problem to the physician
and she just looked at the site where the angioseal was at and then replied
that this type of pain occurs in about one in every three hundred patients.
Well this is August '09 and I'm still in pain whenever I have to walk more
than half a block,walk fast or any other kind of exertion to the leg. So,
after seeing four other doctors about this dilemma,one sent me to a vascular
surgeon who explained that I need to have an aorto-iliac bypass surgery,
which requires a four to five day stay at the hospital which will cost
me 20% of what my insurance co. doesn't pay,not to mention the pain from
the surgery site. I totally feel this is all due to incompetence on the
doctors part. Do I have a valid law suit. • Jan -- you write that you had an "angio".
Is that an angiogram (diagnostic) or an angioplasty (balloon or stent)
-- and where were they looking: heart or legs (we understand that the catheter
was introduced through the femoral, or groin, artery)? What were the results? • i had an angio in 1997, about 6 months later the
center of the ball of my right foot started getting numb. over some time
it spread about the foot and then to the left foot. i have since had surgery
on both feet, putting a stint in the foot and scar tissue removed from
the main nerve. not much luck so far. i take 150mg. lyrica in the morning
and 1 at night. Now 11 years later, diagnosed with diabetes. mild case.
can correct it. but taking lite dose of metformin. does anyone think this
sounds familiar? can anything be done. • Kerry -- a hematoma (bruising) is a minor complication
of catheterization from the groin approach. The concern is if the hematoma
is getting larger, indicating that bleeding is occurring. If not, a hematoma
can take up to several weeks to disappear. If you're in pain, however,
and cannot sit upright, that's something else again, and should be addressed.
As for finding no disease, that's good(!!) that you have no coronary artery
disease -- FYI, more than a third of patients who undergo catheterization
get the same diagnosis: no disease. • I posted this thread (see below), but still having
swelling and still not able to get into a "sitting position" and wondered
if this is usual?? Has anybody else encountered this situation. Just hoping
to find help, and if so, how much longer until it gets better??? I had
a heart cath done 7/19 and still in pain. Swelling of both legs & feet
(burning sensation there) with more prominence in right leg where done.
Had slight bruising around area, but now a week later have more bruising
(and yellowish bruising)on upper thigh and some down slightly on inside
of thigh. Ultrasound showed a hematoma, but have a cardiologist who can't
explain why I have swelling, nor give any info as to how long I have to
deal with this hematoma. The cath showed no blockage & absolutely no plaque
anywhere. So now I'm much worse than before I let them do this to me!!
I've got a doctor who is useless and doesn't even return my calls...just
has a nurse call to say "it takes time". Somebody PLEASE help..... • I posted an entry on July 26th about my father
developing a scrotal hematoma. We had to bring him to emergency on July
28th because he started running a fever of 101.2. He is now back in the
hospital in severe pain and has a bladder infection on top of all the other
complications. His cardiologist doesn't care or hasn't visited him or even
called to check up on his condition since he was discharged from the hospital.
The emergency room doctor called in a Urologist. He agreed with her that
the hematoma can not be drained. He did schedule an ultrasound because
it is hard to tell if it is new or old blood. I read up on this on this
web-site and it has helped me a lot I think he should have been given antibiotics
before leaving the hospital. They still can't do anything for him but give
him pain pills every four hour, antibiotics for the infection and when
the infection is gone they will send him back home. It has been 1 week
as of yesterday that they placed the stent. We have a whole 2 months to
go. I hope know one ever has to go through this. If I learn anything else,
I will place another post. • I had a heart cath done 7/19 and still in pain.
Swelling of both legs & feet (burning sensation there) with more prominence
in right leg where done. Had slight bruising around area, but now a week
later have more bruising (and yellowish bruising)on upper thigh and some
down slightly on inside of thigh. Ultrasound showed a hematoma, but have
a cardiologist who can't explain why I have swelling, nor give any info
as to how long I have to deal with this hematoma. The cath showed no blockage & absolutely
no plaque anywhere. So now I'm much worse than before I let them do this
to me!! I've got a doctor who is useless and doesn't even return my calls...just
has a nurse call to say "it takes time". Somebody PLEASE help..... • My father went in for a simple stent to his right
leg and ended up with a scrotal hematoma the size if a large melon. The
cardiologist said that we would just have to wait 2 months for it to disappear.
Meanwhile, he is in very bad pain and cannot walk. The urologist said the
if the cardiologist would have went in a little higher, this wouldn't have
happened. Is there anything else he can do other than ice packs and pain
pills? He can not even stand up on his own and has to use both hands to
hold up this area because it is so large and heavy. • I had a cerebral angiogram through the groin on
July 17th. A couple minutes after the puncture, I could feel a deep pain
in my leg. While in recovery, I told the nurse about this pain and she
said it was probably due to laying in that position for so long. They put
in a star clip closure device [StarClose] which I DID not even know about.
I have had continued pain all the way from my buttocks down my entire leg
since..along with abdominal cramping every day since...No bruising, no
complications?? They let me go home 3 hours after procedure. I just wondered
if anyone else has had this pain. • Deb
in Fla. I have worked in surgery for 36yrs. You should report the
staff to the nursing administrator for your humiliation - that should "never" happen.
Patients must always be covered and you should have been ask if you wanted
to listen to music and what type. I have been on both ends. Just had
my 4th cath 2 wks ago, (after stents and bypass), everything was good.
But this time I am having terrible groin and back pain. Dr.said it was
probably from the angioseal aggravating the nerve. Getting an epidural
in my back next wk, hopefully will relieve nerve pain. • Multiple replies -- Linda from Arizona, check out our topic, "Alternative to Angiogram?" -- some cardiologists believe that a non-invasive Multislice CT Angiogram (CTA) may have benefit in specific situations where tests have been inconclusive but the patient is having symptoms. The CTA is highly accurate in ruling out coronary artery disease. One-third of invasive angiograms (a.k.a. catheterizations) show no disease. Also, please remember that when you read comments in this Forumtopic, you are for the most part, looking at the Complaint Dept. -- people who have had problems post here -- there are over a million angiograms done annually in the U.S. and the complication rate is low in percentage. Obviously one shouldn't do a test or procedure that is unwarranted, but catheterization has been around a long time and is considered a safe procedure. D. Hayes from Florida -- look at our related topic on "Vascular Closure Devices" -- you're not alone. Finally, Ruth from Florida -- we hope the information
you've found on Angioplasty.Org has helped. Read our comments above --
although it sounds like you have already had your cath. Let us know how
things went. • I'm new here and hoping to gain some insight and
relief. My new doctor seems to be very precautionary. He suspects based
on nuclear stress test results that there might be something to be concerned
about. He recommended I see a cardiologist. The cardiologist seems to think
that based on my health history, and my family history (no heart problems)
he thinks it might be a shadow or artifact rather a sign of a real problem.
HOWEVER the cardiologist suggests I have a cardiac catheterization to "be
sure".I am so nervous about doing this. I more afraid of causing damage
to the heart by having the procedure than I am of finding out there is
a problem.Can anyone shed some light on this procedure. Is it very painful?
Did you have any bad after effects (like did it cause a heart attack)?
Will I be able to carry on with my normal exercise routine (as long as
there are no problems found)? Any help will be greatly appreciated...I'm
trying to calm myself down before having the procedure tomorrow. Thanks! • I had an cardiac catheterization on five days
ago, 7/8; I was told by my surgeon that since I had no heart blockage and
needed no stents that in two-three days I could return to my normal activities.
I have noticed that when I stand too long, sit too long upright and/or
go up stairs I have excruciating pain in my groin and the leg that the
angioseal was put in. I am contemplating returning to the ER or my primary
doctor for advice if it continues, is this normal? • My Cardiologist wants me to get an Angiogram,
because he thinks he sees a blockage in my heart. He's not sure if it's
a blockage after seeing the results of my Stress Test and Echocardiogram.
After reading these letters from other people, I don't want to do it. Does
anyone know of and Alternative Medicine or Procedures. I don't like pain
at all. I also have a very bad fear on dying doing this procedure. or even
afterwards. • Thank you for your reply Forum Editor. Actually
Dr. Hopkins works at the same facility as the doctor I am seeing, Dr. Levy.
Yes, I have asked about alternatives. I requested that the nurse ask the
doctor (when he gets back from vacation this week) if an MRA would be okay
instead of the Angio. I have already had an MRI. She said there's a good
chance that he won't let me do the MRA because it is not as clear of an
image and if they can't see what they need to, they may have to do the
angio anyway. It would make it so much easier if they could just put you
out for it! Being awake is the part that makes me too nervous to go through
with it. • As we wrote a few days ago, complications from cardiac catheterization are small in percentage -- bleeding complications have much to do with problems from the femoral "stick", but age, diseased vessels, etc. increase the risk as well. A typical minor bleeding complication is a hematoma, essentially a large bruise. If the hematoma gets bigger, it may indicate internal bleeding and should be looked after immediately. Otherwise the purple area will be reabsorbed into the body over time, much like a bruise disappears. A note for Jenn -- have you discussed alternatives to
an invasive angiogram, such as a multislice CT or MRI? Since you're in
Buffalo, you might want to read our
exclusive interview with Dr. "Nick" Hopkins of Millard Fillmore. • My doctors wants me to go for a cerebral angiogram
to rule out an AVM. After reading these postings, I am not sure I want
to do it. I wish I knew the ages of the patients listed in these postings.
I am a relatively healthy 26 year old so I would hope my risk of complication
would be lower than that of more elderly patients. • I had a heart catheterization on June 15, 2009.
No blockage was found. However, on follow up visit to Dr. on June 25, a
small hematoma was discovered. As I was leaving town for three months,
my Dr. said for me to watch the hematoma and see a Dr. if it should grow
or become painful. I don't think it has grown, and is not painful. What
are the chances of this hematoma dissolving on it's own and how long will
it take. If it does not dissolve on it's own, what action should I take? • To all -- most posts in this topic involve either
bleeding complications (which include hematomas -- black and blue bruises
near the groin insertion site) or what seem like nerve problems. In caths
and interventional procedures (PCI) the complication rates are relatively
low in the 3-5% range -- major complications are much lower. However, no
complication is low if you happen to be the complication! You should definitely
report these problems to your interventional cardiologist -- the
physician who performed the procedure. He/she may be able to help, but
your interventionalist also needs to hear the feedback about any complications
that have occurred -- because complications often do not manifest until
AFTER the patient leaves the hospital and the problems are dealt with by
the patient's personal doctor, or a clinical cardiologist. In other words,
the interventional cardiologist may never know about the complication.
If this feedback is gotten, procedures may be changed or refined to reduce
future problems for others. If you read our section on the Transradial
Approach (through the wrist, not the groin) you'll hear from a number
of cardiologists who have switched to the wrist, in order to lower bleeding
complications and nerve injuries. • Had heart attack at age 36 which was 2 1/2 years
ago. Had cardiac cath done with stent placement. Had chest pain at the
end of May, Cardiologist repeated my cath and found that my stent was occluded
with scar tissue. Had another stent placed with an angioseal. Since my
discharge on June 1, I have had extreme right leg pain. Cardiologist said
take some Aleve it was nothing we did. Called my family doctor did not
want to get involved felt it was something the cardiologist did during
the cardiac cath. I finally got an appointment with Physical Therapy which
I go to 3 times a week. Saw a PMR doctor who said I have an obturator nerve
injury. Currently taking 900mg of Neurontin daily have tens unit and still
can't get rid of pain or return to work as a nurse. Anybody have any suggestions? • I had an angiogram done yesterday 6/30/09 on both
legs. I went in to have my right leg done but the vascular surgeon looked
at my left leg and stented that one as well. All day today I have had terrible
pain in my left thigh. It feels like a throbbing toothache. I'm worried
about this because my left leg did not hurt this bad, ever, before the
surgery. Can anyone tell me what this may be? He wants me to come in in
the morning to make sure everything is ok. But I am very scared. • I had an angiogram some two weeks ago and have
been in severe pain since, my scrotum swell like a football and my groin
area is black and blue,back hurts upon touch, scrotum hurts like hell but
the swelling has reduced.Got discharged with severe pain and told to take
pain killers. • I had two angiogram's in 2007. One in the right
leg and one in the left leg. I have had a stent in the right groin since
1998 and a new stent put in the left iliac in 2007. Ever since these two
angiograms I have lived in severe pain. The left leg has burning and tingling
pain from the groin, across the hip and down the thigh to the knee. The
right leg is much worse. The pain goes from the groin and hip and all the
way down the leg and into the foot. This pain is constant. Sometimes it
hurt to even walk because the pain in my right foot is so bad. I have been
to many doctor's and tried many things. The only thing that helped the
pain at all was a drug called topamax, but it caused my blood pressure
to drop to dangerous levels and other side effects that were unbearable.
I now have more blockage and am afraid of what to do next. • My Aunt had a femoral coronary cath on June 12th,
Friday. 2 hours after the cath, the nurse told that she was not bleeding
and that she could get up and go home. She went to the bathroom and started
bleeding profusely at insertion site. The 'nurse' then held the appropriate
pressure for 15-20 minutes for the bleeding to stop. She did not notify
the MD. Of course, my aunt still has recovering ecchymosis all the way
around her thigh and down almost to the knee. Now, she has a very hard
knot at the insertion site that is approx 4" in diameter. There is no softness
noted within knot and definite ridges at edge. She has been lying down
every couple of hours with an ice pack to allow swelling and pain to decrease.
Do not believe that this is normal, but may not be dangerous. Awaiting
anxiously for your reply. • My mother recently had an angiogram to look at
her heart. A week later she has a kidney infection and extreme pain in
the back and a shooting pain up and down her leg. The angiogram was inserted
in the right groin. No complications were found in the angiogram. Her back
is still hurting bad. Can this be from the angiogram? Could they have hit
a nerve or something? • I'm currently being treated for a fungal infection
in my right lung. About a week ago, I had to have a pulmonary angiogram
through my right groin to stop some bleeding in my right lung. Afterwards,
I had to lay in bed for 6 hours. After the end of the six hour period,
I could barely walk. Both legs were weak that day and the following day
when I was discharged. For the past six days, I've been able to walk but
the left side of my body from under my left pectoral muscle down to the
toes on my left foot have lost some sensation. The area is not completely
numb but it is less sensitive than the right side of my body. Even the
left side of my genitalia has lost some sensation while the right side
is fine. During intercourse, I am capable of achieving and maintaining
an erection but unable to ejaculate. I didn't have this problem before
the procedure. My left leg is still somewhat weak. I am going to see a
neurologist if the condition doesn't improve. Is this something that will
resolve over time or is the damage likely to be permanent? • Victoria -- if the femoral (groin) puncture site
is not completely healed and heavy stress is placed on it, it might start
to leak. This is hard to say. What did your doctor say about your exercising.
Certainly, we'd suggest taking it a bit easier after your next one. Just
a thought -- have your doctors mentioned the possibility of going in through the
wrist (radial)? And KK -- you are describing something that a number
of posters have reported -- a trauma to the femoral nerve (which lies along
side of the femoral artery). They have reported a number of attempts and
treatments -- some have worked and sometimes this can resolve itself over
time if there's been no irreversible damage to the nerve. Again, this complication
is relatively low in occurrence, but it can happen. • Hi I had two Angiograms performed and am expected
to return for a third on July 8th, however after reading everyone's posts
I'm starting to reconsider returning. On May 13th I was was entered in
Neurosurgery for a cerebrum hemorrhage and the doctors could not find the
cause---hence the two angiograms. I didn't experience the hematoma pain
until this past weekend (two weeks after the last procedure) Kind of weird,
huh? The delay stumped the doctors in the er also but the ultrasound showed
that the hematoma was the size of baseball (approx 4 in) in my groin area.
Its been four days and 6 ice packs later and I feel better--cannot work
out but can move around better. What I would like to know if working out
on the treadmill and elliptical could have caused the hematoma? One week
after release from being hospitalized in May, I began exercising 40 min
a day for the last two weeks then the pain occurred the 3rd week.what do
you think? • I had a stent inserted in April of 2006. They
hit my femoral nerve and since then I have had no feeling from the area
of insertion to just above my knee. Always feels like pins and needles.
In the past month I went through rotator Cuff surgery and while sleeping
in a chair it started waking me up with sharp pains in the numb area like
someone was stabbing me with a long needle. Over the past three weeks the
pain has intensified to the point of intense and when I walk I feel the
needle. I am scheduled for an EMG next week but wondered if anyone else
has had this experience and what they did. • Had brain aneurysm surgery in 2000 and four angiograms
in my right femoral artery. The third angiogram had caused too much scar
tissue and they had to re-cut before giving the fourth. About 8 months
ago, started feeling a weird sensation (not pain, but a tightness or feeling
in the artery) in right thigh. Can the artery be clogged and the blood
not going through? • I had angiogram last week 5-29 had angio-seal
following day had sharp pain that went down my leg and felt numb and tingled
could not walk or put pressure on my leg. Dr. told me to go to ER, they
checked for aneurysm and it was clear and sent home with Percocet then
had continued pain all week and after a week black and blue all over from
groin area to knee why did it turn black and blue after one week? and still
have pain do not want to go to ER if not necessary again can someone help
or have had this problem. My cardiologist is sending me to vascular Doctor
on Monday.... • I had a RT iliofemoral Endarterectomy & goretex
patch angioplasty done two weeks ago and a week prior to that an angiogram
which has been the source of progressive lower back and left groin pain
since the procedures. The incision site seems to be doing well but the
left groin was attempted to be used for the dye injection and after failing
attempts to insert the probe they resorted to my left upper arm to inject
the dye. i am concerned about the sharp grabbing pain in my left groin
at the failure injection site that travels around my left hip and down
my leg when i walk with my cane. The lower back pain is worse lying and
in the AM when I rise and goes from hip to hip if i flex my lower back.
It eases if i sit and when it is most severe in the AM I DO GET ADULL PAIN
UP THE LEFT HIP TO AND AROUND THE KIDNEY AREA. THIS SEEMS TO EASE OVER
THE FIRST HOUR OR I AM UP. any input would be appreciated. • Had a femoral cardiac
cath done on 5/25/09 what a nightmare. I laid on the table with my privates
exposed, the staff while waiting for the cardiologist to arrive thought
they would listen to the radio. So there I laid naked from waist down through
the entire Brittany song ( if you seek amy song which if you know the lyrics
was so inappropriate) It was humiliating for to lay there like that while
5 complete strangers laughed and talked about going dancing and fav restaurants.
When the doc arrived the radio had been turned way down, it was at this
point I was finally covered and the real nightmare began. I was given IV
moderate sedation which lasted until the doctor started the cath in my
artery. It hurt so bad. The doc said I would only feel pressure..the pain
was crazy bad. I'm home now, and pain is radiating around to the back by
my right kidney. Groin is still very sore hip is sore. How long will this
hurt? I will never go through another cath again! The entire thing was
horribly painful and humiliating. • 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. • 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! • 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. • 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. • 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? • 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!! • 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. • 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? • 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? • 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?? • 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? • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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! • 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. • 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? • 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. • 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! • 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. • 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. • 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? • 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?
|
|||||||||||||
