How long does a hematoma last after having heart catheterization?
Posted by admin on Nov 2, 2009
I developed a very large hematoma on my upper thigh following a heart catheterization. It has been over three weeks, I have had one blood transfusion and am now on iron supplements. Nothing seems to be helping this thing go away. The doctors checked it and it is not an aneurysm, but I am still worried that it isn’t healing quickly enough. Any thoughts?
A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. Initially there is no bruising or color. Instead it first appears as a hard lump under the skin. Although the bleeding typically stops with the application of pressure, the bruise (the medical term is echymosis) will last a long time while the blood is resorbed by the body. In fact over time the area of echymosis will increase in size as the blood spreads out under the skin. Typically it will track down the thigh due to the effects of gravity. As the echymosis resolves the color will chnage from black and blue to yellow and green as it slowly fades away. Depending on the size of the original hematoma this can take up to 6 or 8 weeks.
the blood thinners made the bruise bigger than it would have otherwise
a aneurysm is a wall thinning causing buldging
you do not have that
It will be absorbed in time
listen to the doctor for advice
not some stranger here ( yes I’m strange) LOL
References :
I would take a little more time, use a pen to outline the site to make sure it is not getting worse. This is not at all unusual and see it in my patients very frequently. It takes some time to heal due to the blood thinners they put you on post cardiac cath, and the post op-medications.
References :
I went through the same thing with my last cath, i also was worried because my whole thigh turned black and purple and had the doctor check it out and he said that it was o.k and that sometimes this happens, mine took about a month and a half to completely go away.
References :
A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. Initially there is no bruising or color. Instead it first appears as a hard lump under the skin. Although the bleeding typically stops with the application of pressure, the bruise (the medical term is echymosis) will last a long time while the blood is resorbed by the body. In fact over time the area of echymosis will increase in size as the blood spreads out under the skin. Typically it will track down the thigh due to the effects of gravity. As the echymosis resolves the color will chnage from black and blue to yellow and green as it slowly fades away. Depending on the size of the original hematoma this can take up to 6 or 8 weeks.
References :
I am a cardiologist and I perfrom heart catheterizations