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Angio-Seal

Mir
0 Recommendations

Hi. I had an Angiogram in 2005, lay for 5 hours after and can't say I had any ill effects once I got out of hospital that evening. I had another done a few days ago (March 30th), had the new Angio Seal used, lay for 2 hours, allowed up and got home again that evening. Have a constant ache at the site, some bruising showed the third day and it's increasing now. Stiffness and pinch-like stab when move to walk is still there. Is this normal after the Angio-Seal. I think I'd prefer the old way, as certainly I was much better after it anyway. I have a Mitral Valve problem, but thankfully all arteries are clear.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart disease Surgery Sleep apnea Bypass surgery Fever Verapamil Plavix Hypertension Pain Heart attack Stent Stress

25 replies

lvfrogs

I just had mine done on Tuesday of this week and I am eternally grateful to my doctor for doing the procedure. My other docs were not listening to me with all my symptoms. I didn't think the procedure was bad at all. I watched most of it. The laying down flat for hours afterwards was not fun as I had a killer headache and backache, but that is a small price to pay. I was nervous about it also but so grateful to have it done and find out what is wrong. I found out that I have Cardiac Spasms. I must have had one during the procedure because they sprayed nitro under my tongue during it. Will try the Verapamil and go from there. I hope to be able to get information from this site and to also offer my help to anyone who needs it. Thanks!

heartache301

I had three caths one I had to light flat with and the other two with angio seals. And angio seal is the way to go although I had a little burising and swelling after the first angioseal. The last one I had two weeks ago had no bruising or swelling but the day after the cath (I was still in the hospital) when leaning over the sink to brush my teeth had an aweful stabbing pain that lasted for about 4 hours then went away.

Mo_Hicks

I shared much brusing and discomfort, too. It is common during the healing process. I was very, very sore for more than a week...then things settled right down, but it was frightening. At the hospital, my doctor gave me an information sheet fromSt Jude's that read something like this: let us know immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, rash, bleeding, wound drainage, persistent tenderness in thegroin or swelling, redness and or warm to touch, numbness, tingling or pain in the extremity when walking, any other unusual symptoms. When in doubt, CALL! Thanks for asking!

beckym

Hi Kathy--

Please don't let the fear of pain stop you from having the test. I was ready to be tortured and all I can complain about is that the room was too cold and I didn't ask for an extra blanket soon enough. The relaxation drugs I got were wonderful and I just flowed along and felt safe and cared for the whole time.

I would let the doctor make the decision about the way you are "closed". They know a lot more about what was just done and I don't have the knowledge to tell them how to do their job.

Hope you can feel brave enough to get this test out of the way so you can get back to living your life with out fear.

Becky

NZGirl

Hi Kathy,
No, they do not 'put you out' before an angiogram, but they do give you a sedative to help you to relax, and it does work. I guess you could explain how worried you are and request a 'super heavy duty' sedative, or maybe you could ask your doctors whether it might be possible to put you under. However, I suspect there might be a good reason why they need us to be conscious.
Did you know that your heart itself does not have any nerve endings? That means we are all unable to feel any pain from the actual exploration of our heart arteries, or the insertion of stents etc. That is also why we all feel pain in different places if we have a heart attack, because the brain can't receive pain signals from the heart itself (because of this lack of nerve endings) so the 'pain messages' are coming from everywhere close to the heart - arms, shoulders, jaw, back, mid-chest etc.
Oh Yes, I do so understand what you mean when doctors say "there will be no pain" and then there is, that happens way too often and it makes us lose trust and faith. But in this case, honestly, the only thing you will feel is when they administer the anaesthetic and that's a tiny sting. The pain relief they give you is for the small nick they make to access the artery at the top of your leg where the catheter goes in, because of course you do have nerve endings there and you would feel it without the anaesthetic shot.
I had the Angio Seal and had no problems with it at all, after a week the tenderness had gone and it had healed up nicely.
Can you talk to your doctor about how you feel, because I am sure you would be able to get a DVD or video to watch at home which shows the whole procedure and I think it will make you alot less anxious. Watch the DVD, and then make that phonecall - You can do it, I know you can! Hugs from Sharon

wholedaughter

Hi Ladies! Happy Saturday :). Sorry for the delay in replying but we thought my computer had a virus. We're all good tho. THANK YOU all so much for the love and support I feel already. THIS site - to whomever is responsible - is a God send. Thank you. Thank you for your encoueragement and education. I still haven't called. Yes, I'm chicken. I need more info I think. So, do they or don't they put you out. I would hope to be unconscious, they said I wouldn't feel anything when I had a TEE and I did and it was not fun. And my ongoing question... to choose the angio seal vs good ole stitches and pressure which is better in the long run... which is without complications. It sounds like sweet Mir had a bad run as did others. I hear your hearts that most of the "bad" things are said for much needed venting and true we rarely report the good. Hm.. maybe we need to change that. :) So, here I am procrastinating. A little background... I just turned 38 and my "heart" just healed last year from a painful divorce that started when I was 32... God didn't bless us then with children and I still want my babies. But at this point with my heart the way it is the doctors recommend against it. So, that is enough motivation to go forward. :) Sharon, Becky, MMaslek, Dana, Tersa, BMurray... thank you again for your words and wisdom from walking through this before us. Mir, I'm praying for your continued healing.
Gratefully, Kathy

Mir

Hi All,

Am only home from the hospital now, so will give you an update.

As pain in the groin was getting worse, I returned to my GP on the 9th, he referred me back to the hospital and upon examination, an ulra sound of the groin was advised. An aneurysm was discovered on the femoral artery, so I was admitted for observation. presently pain relief is helping and I am to be reviewed regularly.

Such a relief to at last know what was causing the pain, as I knew I was never like it before.

Hope all the rest of you, my dear friends are well.

Mir

MMaslek

Go for it. Otherwise, everytime you eat something spicy you'll convince yourself your dying. If there is nothing wrong, no problem. If there is something, you get an entire year's worth of being proactive and possibly preventing a small issue from becoming a huge issue!!!!

BMurray

Hi all, I had a thallium stress test that came up slightly abnormal (3 out of 10 whatever that means). My Dr. said that it could be breast shadow since its at the top of the heart (altho a regular stress test also came out borderline abnormal). He said don't worry about having an imminent heart attack, my heart is strong, have no symptoms, etc. He gave me choices as to what I could do: wait a year and have another test, or if I am a real worrywort, have an angiogram. I am a worrywort, and think I want the angiogram but am not sure if I should have one at this point, given the supposed mildness of my condition--sounds like such a serious test. I know its the only way to really know what is going on with my heart. I have high CRP and homocysteine scores, and hypertension and sleep apnea. Should I go for it? I am scared, too, altho your posts are comforting. I don't want to do anything to make my condition worse!

Tersa

Hey wholedaughter,

Let me chime in too and concur with all the others. I have had 2 angiograms this past year, one scheduled and one emergency- and they all went like clockwork. Yes, they are scarey, but I thank God everyday I had them as all my other tests were negative, and I had a blockage that required a stent. If I hadn't had the angio, I would have probably have had a heart attack down the road. I was given sedation during the procedure, and didn't feel a thing. Though it is uncomfortable afterwards, it is really not that bad, and the benefits totally outnumbers the risks. Don't wait to make that appointment- do it today- without hesitation. It is worth the peace of mind!! Good luck and keep us posted.

Tersa

Dgrant

I'm also one of the ones who had no problems after my angiogram. It was completely boring to lie flat for 6 hours afterward, but I had friends there to help me pass the time! And they found 4 blocked arteries which I had to have bypass surgery.....so the angiogram was definitely needed. I, too, didn't have much time to think about it....had a heart attack one day, angiogram the next, bypass surgery the next. Sheeeeeesh -- everything came flying at me all at once, and it didn't really sink in until AFTER I got home from the hospital a week later!!

Make that appointment --

Dana

MMaslek

I want you to be aware that alot of what you hear on websites are worst case senarios. I think that you hear more about it here because when there are complications people need to vent & our families either get scared or tired of hearing it & everyone here is so supportive. Many people have angios & move on about their normal daily lives with no complications.

When I had my 1st angio I was 30 years old & terrified!!!!! I had a 2 & a 4 yr old at the time. It was the best thing that happened to me even though I had an MI on the table. The MI was coming & had they not been in my artery when it hit, it would have been fatal. I have an odd scaring disorder so my stents & bypasses close rather easily so I have had like 19 angios now. The nerve nicking happened on the last one because I have a bit of scar tissue built up and he needed to work a bit to get into my artery. The first bunch, like 2 to 7 were easy. The 2nd one I was terrified (because of the 1st) and it was nothing. Same with the 3rd. I make jokes about needing my bikini wax & buy 3 get 1 free. I justed to talk silly when I was nervous.

They are never fun just on the premise that someone is sticking something in your heart but watching the arteries light up is very cool.

I know how hard it is to set up that appointment, but the test is definitive & you need to know what is going on so you will be around to raise your child. Not knowing will not make the heart problem go away.

Hang in Ther, Be strong & make that call!!!!

beckym

Hi Wholedaughter--
Please don't be afraid to have the catherization because of our posts. I am one of the "lucky" ones who didn't have time to think about it. Was having a heart attack in ER and taken to cath lab right then and there.

I can't imagine how I would feel if I'd have to think about it a long time. I agree with Sharon that it is a wonderful diagnostic test and will let your doctor know what is going on. After reading how some of our sisters have to beg plead and fib to get the cath they know they need, I hope you wil make the appointment. Keep us posted and I will keep you in my prayers--together we can all stay strong.
Becky

NZGirl

Hi there wholedaughter,
I am so sorry if some of our posts have made you scared to go forward with your angiogram. The thing is, many of us come onto this site to discuss what has worried us, either during our procedures, or during our recovery, and so it may look as though a large number of procedures go 'wrong' in some way. That's not the case, there are a huge number of people who have had no problems at all with their angiograms, and who therefore have had no need to discuss them, and so you just don't get to read about the perfect success stories.
I had an angiogram over two years ago, and although I was certainly scared beforehand, it was remarkably simple, and the doctors found out some really important information which probably saved my life. I had two stents (small hollow metal rods which hold your arteries open permanently) fitted during the procedure, and it all took less than two hours. An angiogram is painless except for a small injection at the top of your leg, and you get to see the whole procedure on a screen in front of you (that's cool). You are surrounded by hugely experienced medical personnel who are trained to deal with absolutely anything that could possibly go wrong. You are in good hands, the best place that you could be. Afterwards it is a bit annoying to have to lie down flat for a few hours, but in many cases after 24 hours you can go home. You will have a tender leg for a week or so, but more importantly your doctor will know exactly how your heart really is.
An angiogram can save your life and there are rarely complications that are more severe than NOT having one and not knowing what is going on with your heart.
At my hospital they showed me a video of the procedure, maybe you could ask for a video or DVD?
There is alot of information online too.
You will get lots of good advice from some lovely ladies on this site, and I hope you eventually feel confident enough to book your angiogram. It's okay and understandable to be scared, but take a deep breath - and do it anyway. Take heaps of care, Sharon

wholedaughter

Hi ladies
I am new to this site and have poured over many discussions. I have so many questions but the one for now is about an angiogram. I was told I need to have one and cannot even make the call to set it up. I'm scared and don't want to. :) OK now that I let out the 2 year old. :) AFter all I've read regarding the different closure procedures and heart or nerve nicking, let alone all of the complications and lengthy recovery periods GEEZE... if it weren't for my faith I'd feel hopeless. I guess I looking for some reassurance here. I do feel confident with my doctor with is good but, wow after reading all of the things you all have talked about... phew. BTW can we ask about certain docs or hospitals / centers on here?

Thank you all for sharing so much of your ... hearts. :)

MMaslek

The leg flushing is a nerve that was nicked during the angio. The burning will stop in a couple of weeks but you will have numbness for quite some time. It's been 2 years for me!! Be careful shaving from that area down to your toes. You can't feel a nick or the blood. The good news is that it really doesn't hurt after the tingly sensation goes away. From what I understand, this is just par for the course occasionally & nothing to do with cardio competancy. My cardio fixed a 100% blockage that they couldn't get open on the previous 8 angios but hit the nerve. Tradeoff?? Hang in there, it will all feel better in a few weeks!!!!

GraceAnnStewart

I had that lump for a long time. My angiogram was 12/23/08 and she promised me the lump (large jelly bean size) would go away by 3/1 and it was still there but much smaller. It is scar tissue. At first I thought it was the closure system but found out that is made of collagen and dissolves.

There should be no need to sandbag with these new technologies but you do have to lay for several hours after and not move.

Hope everything works out.

Heart hugs,
GraceAnn

dot49

I've had several angiograms and the one with the seal seem to hurt more the than other type. I just had the angiogram done on the 24th of March and the staples hurt like crazy this time and the swelling is really bad. My Doctor had my staples taken out a week before they were to come out because they were poping loss. This surgery hurt the worst out of the three that I've had in this legg. And then again I am thirteen years older this time. I thank God I'm alive!

beckym

Hi--Sorry you have discomfort from the seal. I had a minx used with the second stent and after I came home from the hospital it decided to leak. By the time I realized I needed to call the doctor, it was the size of a deli hot dog under the skin in my groin. I had to get it checked at ER and then saw the cardiologist 2 days later and she massaged it into smaller clots so it would absorb. It still took 1 month to be totally gone. I think I will ask for a different type the next cath. Like you say, mine pinched and felt tight-- but no big pain in leg for me.

I would advise you to at least call your doctor and let them decide what you need to do. I wouldn't let anyone massage me if my cath wound was as fresh as yours.

Good luck--Becky

Nanabear

I had my 12th cath in 34 monthes 13 days ago The Doc used a new seal this time called a "MYNX" It is supposed to dissolve within 30 days instead of 90 It doesn't matter what he uses I have to lay for 4 hours because of Plavix( he never takes me off of it)It seems just the same as the Angio-seal.

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