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.
