angio-seal

**Originally posted by user WomenHeart 06/01/2005 : 13:23:37 **

I had a routine cardiac cath 7/16/04. Everything checked out fine. I was given materials to read ahead of time and signed the consent and knew what was going on the entire time. At the end of the procedure, the Dr. had a very difficult time and it was extremely painful. Apparently, the local shot was not enough. After the procedure, I was told my heart was fine and was handed a brochure that the Dr. elected to use the Angio-Seal for the femoral artery. I knew nothing about it ahead of time. I learned a week later from the nurse that he had just started using the procedure a few weeks ago. No wonder he had so much trouble with it. The nurse in the operating room was trying to help tell him which way to position it, etc. The problem was with the angio-seal during the painful completion of the procedure. And I was in alot of pain for the first two weeks, on Advil which helped but it never went away. Kept awake nights also. The third week, got better. The end of the third week, the pain is back. Had an ultrasound and no problems found. The cardiologist said to see my family dr. if I was having pain. Said unrelated to his procedure. That is not the case. It is the angio-seal. I am wondering what any of you who have had this thing have done after you've seen your Dr. Did any of you know about the angio-seal before the procedure? What do you do when you still have pain and the Dr doesn't acknowledge? Any suggestions where to go from here?

callie

By WomenHeart
Posted May 11, 2006 at 3:29 pm
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**Origingally posted by user 06/01/2005 : 13:23:57 **

I definitely say your problem is the angio seal. Go to a cardio vascular surgeon. More than likely the seal needs to be removed. I had to have mine removed in less than two weeks after my heart cath and my thigh is still numb. Along with having the angio seal removed I also had blood clots above and below my seal which had to be removed. Let me know if you hear of any class action suits against the angio seal. debbie from tennessee

dcross

By WomenHeart
Posted May 11, 2006 at 3:35 pm
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**Originally posted by user WomenHeart 06/01/2005 : 13:24:39 **

Well I,m a guy so I suspect my veins and arterys are larger than the average woman. However I just received angio-seal two days ago and I have to say it is working perfectly. No swelling and no pain. My leg seem somewhat weaker than the other one but I suspect that will normalize in a few days.

Stretch

By WomenHeart
Posted May 11, 2006 at 3:36 pm
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**Originally posted by user 06/01/2005 : 13:25:01 **

My doctor told me he might use a device to help seal the site. I never knew a thing until it was over and they gave me the information about what not to do with an angio-seal. This is bunk...

shannon2

By WomenHeart
Posted May 11, 2006 at 3:40 pm
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**Originally posted by user WomenHeart 06/01/2005 : 13:25:23 **

I had my cardiac catheterization on 10/11/04. Over the past few days, I've been having pain in the insertion (groin) area and a strange tingling on the inner part of the thigh. So, today I decided to research the angio-seal that I had placed in the artery. I too was given the brochure after the procedure was completed. I can't begin to imagine what treatment or recourse one would have after this length of time after the procedure, if the angio-seal was the culprit.
If anyone else is having similiar problems this long after the procedure. Please contact me at LadyJ_FAF@hotmail.com

JoJo

By WomenHeart
Posted May 11, 2006 at 3:41 pm
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**Originally posted by user peeking 03/19/2006 : 14:24:11 **

I had an Angio-Seal placed approximately 3 weeks ago and suffered only discomfort at the right femoral site for the first week. However, beginning 3 days ago I began experiencing progressively worsening joint pain. The pain began in both wrists, then my 5th & 4th finger joints bilaterally, now my ankles, elbows 3rd & index finger joints bilaterally. I have not changed my diet, added any new medications nor started any new exercises. I was given a double dose of Plavix & aspirin 30 minutes prior to my cerebral coiling procedure (after which the Seal was placed) and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2000. Is anyone aware of similar side effects with other Angio-Seal recipients? My quaint Patient's Information Guide is next to worthless for any in depth info on allergic/body reactions. Thanks! Pam peeking@frontiernet.net

By WomenHeart
Posted May 11, 2006 at 3:42 pm
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**Originally posted by user Sunnydays 03/20/2006 : 21:37:18 **

Hello, I personally didn't have any complications from an angioseal, but apparently a good number do. Go on http://www.angioplasty.org and maybe you'll get some information from the other people who post there about the procedure. Muscle and joint pain can be a side effect from heart meds, so you can also run this by your doctor. Also low vitamin D can impact joints and bones and cause muscle pain. Good luck.

**Originally posted by user NancyJ 04/03/2006 : 22:10:30 **

I had an angiogram on 3/29/06 and my doc used an angioseal to close the femoral puncture. This is the second angioseal I've had and I've had wonderful results both times. No pain, no bruising, no swelling and I'm up and out from the procedure in a couple of hours. For me, the angioseal is the best.invention.EVER. I'm truly sorry to read of so many of y'all having such horrible experiences.

NancyJ
Houston

By tina
Posted October 27, 2006 at 8:35 am
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I've also had good results with AngioSeals....have had 5 caths (4 separate ones in 8 days) and AngioSeal used all 5 times...there was good info on that angioplasty.org site that someone referred to.... also news there today, (if a bit disturbing), about the drug-eluting stents...which all of mine are...As one of our Mayo Symposium graduates said a few days ago, if the 'heart' doesn't get us, or the meds, or the side-effects, the INSURANCE and bills will!

Sigh...seems our biggest hurdle to overcome is the MENTAL parts of this disease... being grateful for each and every new day and looking at each as a GIFT has helped me more than anything...especially when dealing with all this 'changing' technology and information. The 'latest and greatest' sometimes turns out to be 'pearls' for one and 'poison' for the next.

Just keep looking up!

By pstew
Posted July 16, 2008 at 7:51 pm
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7-16-08
I had an exploratory angiogram done on May 20, 2008 at St. Luke hospital in the Houston Medical Center. I returned to work 2 days later and had pain in my thigh and calf. They would get very stiff and feel like they were going to cramp. I called my dr (neurologist) who ordered the angiogram and he said go to my internist. I am tired of being sent all around just to end up right back where I started lots of $$$$ later, so I just waited for my follow up with my neurologist on Tuesday June 24th. He asked why I didn't call, and I said that I did and what his 'ladies' told me. He apologized and sent me immediately for a doppler and ct scan of my pelvic area. I went for the doppler first and they immediatly found 50% blockage at the cath insertion site......I went back over to my dr's office and he said to just come back in the next day to the dr that performed the procedure. The next day after waiting almost 4 hours to be seen, the doctors finally saw me and said it was a complication with the angioseal, no problem...they called down a vascular surgeon. He said it was no hurry (or emergency), but we probably needed to go in and 'clean it out' because it wouldn't fix itself. We were supposed to leave on a trip to Disney World the following Monday, June 30th. He said go on the trip and call me when you get back to schedule surgery. We returned home 1 week ago (Tuesday July 8th). I had surgery 2 days ago (on Monday July 14th) and the dr said it was a good thing that we got in when we did because my body had already started 'growing around the angio-seal' and that that quickly it went to 90% blockage and would have soon completely blocked the artery to my right leg. I have a lot of numbness in my right pelvic area and outer right thigh. The dr. says it will go away in time, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!!!! I just got home today and vowed to get online to learn more about complications with angioseal and I'm appauled that nothing has been done to warn people about the problems that are happening with this device!!!!!! This is not the end of my work/fight. Let's keep eachother posted and maybe together, we can help others to avoid this in the future!!!!!!
Good Luck to all! pstew

By lkay
Posted July 16, 2008 at 9:20 pm
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Pstew,
Wow - you are so fortunate that you listened to your body and didn't ignore the symptoms. Keep us posted on your recovery.

Welcome to womenheart too!

Laura

By naynay
Posted August 27, 2008 at 11:32 pm
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I had an angiogram done in January of this year. Was also given the pamphlet about the angio seal after the fact. I had soreness in my groin area for a few days, then went back to work. No outward complications such as bleeding or swelling noted, but I have had a "gripey" pain in my groin ever since the procedure. I have called twice, but was told by the doctors "nurse" that I shouldn't be having any complications. I have been wrestling with it since. A week ago, I woke up in the middle of the night and noticed my right leg (leg procedure was performed on) was numb. As the days progressed, the numbness begin to spread to my buttocks and I am having some numbness in my left foot. I have also lost sensation for elimination of bowels and bladder. I have had a ct scan of my brain and lower back and these were negative. I am going to pursue the issue that my problems could be caused from the angio-seal. As others have questionsed, I don't know how much luck I will have since it has been so long. Thanks for listening!!

By APPLEOFEYE
Posted August 28, 2008 at 8:41 am
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Hello all!! I am sorry to hear so many are having problems with the angio - seal. Do you know it disolves?????? It takes 7-20 something days but it does not stay the way they put it in. I just had it done a month ago and this was what was explained to me. I had a lot of discomfort the first 2 weeks. But I was also favoring it. I would feel a tingling sensation in my thigh in the morning. But - I am telling you once I started walking(firstday was not easy) on the board walk I feel great it is like I losened up that are form being stiff from favoring it. Check with your doctors and good luck. I do notice I cannot keep my legs crossed(I know not supposto:) for a period of time b/c I do feel it in that are. Good Luck!!

By scrubzT
Posted June 6, 2009 at 2:12 pm
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Hello every1. Im new here today. 44 yr old female. I want to share my story. In 2004 I had my very first cardo cath. . No blockage, thank the good LORD. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and, ventricular tacycardia. A fter the cath, they took me to my room, where I had to lay FLAT for 4 hrs. then sent home with NO, I mean NO problems. (the old fashion way). On the 1st day of June, 2009, I drove myself to the ER because I felt my heart stop beating, to awaken to taking a deep breath. OK, I ended up having a 2nd cardiac cath. , which again NO blockage. (put me on some high blood presure meds) The cardiologist used the Angio- seal. Now 5 days later, being at home, so far no problems! After reading all your storys, Im really getting freaked out about people saying their legs are numb and red!!!! OMG! People!!!! please, when we all have to go back to see our physicians, TELL THEM TO DO IT THE OLD FASHION WAY!!!! LAYING FLAT FOR 4 HRS, is safer for all of us! Im serious, the next time I need a cath done, I WILL NOT SIGN THE CONSENT! I will tell them I want the old way done! Thanx TRISH

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