Heart catherisation

[Mich7874]

I had a Cardiac Cath and angioseal carried out two months back and I am experiencing pain in my groin and swelling in my thigh.

has anyone else experienced this?

[tom_h]

Ah!.... I apologize for misleading you!.  I walked myself down the catheter ablation path. which we often talk about here on the forum.  To my knowledge basic cardiac catheterization does not involve that!  I've had basic catheterization done before, although the entry point was in my right arm.  The injected dye often has a short lived very warm sensation, but that's about it.  Everything I noted above is the same though. I believe that access to the left side of your heart is done the same as it is with catheter ablation, that is by a trasseptal puncture.  Some people here have reported some pain afterwards and have attributed it to that part of the procedure.  I don't know because access to the left side of my heart was done thru a small incomplete closure in the septum of my atria.  I hope I've set you straight, and again apologize for the unnecessary information pertaining to catheter ablation.

[Madge270]

You received burns during a catherization?  Can you educate me on how this works?  I thought they just ran a tube up and into your heart, used dye, etc., to check your heart and coronary blood vessels.  

[tom_h]

The pain really isn't that bad.  I used no ice pack, and was only a little sore.  The insertion is done by a puncture, there are typically no incisions made.  The wound was about the size of ball point pen cartridge.  Most people can motor around without any problems.  I drove 250 miles one week after the procedure.  The only other pain the I felt was an occasional achiness right in my chest, presumably from the burns received.  I had a very wide conductive area that had to be bridged by a series of 17 burns, one burn connecting the next one, and so on.  It felt like a dull ache for about 2 or 3 weeks.

I don't know about antibiotics.  I know I was given none during the procedure or at home.  Infection is a possibility and they tell you to keep a careful watch on the wound site.

In general, there are everyday aches and pains that are far worse than the recovery period after the EP procedure.

[Madge270]

I may need a catherization and am scared about the pain and soreness some people feel afterward.  Also, since I'm so allergic to antibiotics, I wonder whether antibiotics are given during or after this procedure.

[tom_h]

I'm relieved you saw someone that knows what they're talking about! :-)  Sometimes, the nerve bundle which runs close to where they enter may get nicked or injured.  Perhaps this accounts for your pain.  I had occasional "pins and needles" in my right foot months after the procedure.  It has gone away recently.  Good luck and keep an eye on it. foe swelling, as well as waxy looking toes that could be an indicator of impeded circulation.

[Mich7874]

Thank you for your reply. I have had an Ultrasound which showed no aneurysm nor clot.

The doctors do not think the pain is to do with the angioseal.

I am still having pain in the groin and leg.

[Mich7874]

Thank you for your reply. I have seen the doctor and they do not think the pain is anything to do with the angioseal. I am still having pain in my groin and leg.

I have had an Ultrasound and it showed no aneurysm nor clots.

[tom_h]

This is the second site problem in as many days.  As Jan suggests, this is something that you do not want to delay.  Please see someone ASAP.  It is not normal for this to occur 8 weeks out.

[Janpes]

It could also be blood leaking into the thigh and needs to be treated straight away.

[Janpes]

please go to the ER as it could be a possible blood clot. I don't want to scare you but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Please go straight away.