Blood thinners and lump post ablation

[Mhat3]

Ablation done through femoral artery on 2/8/2021

I have two questions.

First the nurse came in and gave me a shot of blood thinner on Friday evening in the hospital they kept me until Monday when they did my ablation and i was sent home on Tuesday. And in between that no other blood thinners until they gave me something through my iv during the ablation. My nurse had told me originally I’d be on the thinners for a while, but i got sent home with none. My aunt has had 3 ablations and each time was sent home on thinners for a few weeks, so i was curios and started looking and noticed everyone seems to go home with blood thinners.

So with that my question is did anyone not go home on blood thinners? Or is this something i probably should have had and maybe i should call about? I also have a lump which leads me to question 2.

My EP mentioned nothing of a lump and after searching found that some lumps may happen but i haven’t found much info outside of that. My lump started at about pea size and in a couple days went to about an almond with a small amount of swelling around it. I am 11 days post op and it hasn’t grown bigger and hasn’t gotten smaller either. I think i am mostly concerned because if it is a clot and I’m here not on any type of blood thinners.

Is this something that just fades with time? Or something i should ask about?

I’m not for sure what it is. But it is tender to the touch and hard not soft. I also couldn’t lift my leg to do anything for about 3 days and i have pretty good bruising.

Sorry for the long story, thank you for the suggestions. I’ll also mention my drs are not the easy to contact i go through the VA and everything seems to be a mission.

[BobD Volunteer]

The lump is normal as you may see if you read heartrhythmalliance.org/res.... I have never heard of anybody not being on anticoagulants prior to and for a few weeks/ months after ablation . The injections you had were probably heparin. What drugs are you currently on please?

[Mhat3 in reply to BobD]

Thank you I’ll take a look at the link.

But no medications regarding my heart outside of a magnesium supplement. Outside of that i am on vitamin D for deficiency, vitamin b2 for migraines, and levothyroxine for hyperthyroidism. So nothing new except the magnesium.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I've had 4 ablations. I think I was on blood thinner after all of them for a short while. I was even on blood thinner during my recent ablation ...... never stopped for the surgery.

Wouldn't hurt to contact them.

[Mhat3 in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Thank you for sharing your experience I’ll probably give them a call, it just seemed odd to me.

[CDreamer]

My experiences for 2 ablations were similar to both Bob’s & TLiWU’s.

I’ve never heard of anyone having an ablation without being on anticoagulants for several weeks prior to ablation and for 12 months following.

I gather you are in the US from the way the date was written. UK and US differ on use of anticoagulants some times but TLiWU is also in US - I think?

If I were you, I would return and express and discuss your concerns with your EP and ask if it was an oversight?

The lump is normal, mine took weeks to disappear

[Mhat3 in reply to CDreamer]

Yes i am in the US. My ablation happened rather quickly, so i wasn’t on any blood thinners prior. I was in a halter monitor and when my cardiologist received the report she admitted me right away, but as soon as i got there that was the first thing they did was give me the shot but i just found it odd that that was it and nothing was continued.

[Sfhmgusa]

Having had 2 ablations in the past 7 months I can confirm the lump was there for both of mine and took a couple of weeks or more to go away . I thought it was an infection at first so was worried.

As Bob says it is mentioned as normal in the post ablation notes , but even so I was nervous mine was a big one! It was around the size of a large grape for a week or so.

Regarding anticoagulant I think it is important you ask specifically about this to your EP or nurse and possibly your doctor too. I would have expected you would be on a blood thinner/ anticoagulant as that is the more normal, but your medical team may have a good reason you don’t need or can’t have them. But I would definitely ask .

Steve

[Mhat3 in reply to Sfhmgusa]

Thank you, i am going to reach out. I had an appointment over the phone and was planning to ask and they didn’t call and didn’t return my call as of yet. So i was a bit worried and i think the knot has me more worried so its a relief to know it is normal.

[KMRobbo]

I was on A/C for 25 days prior to ablation and 3 months after until my EP follow up.I was on the A/C DURING the ablation ( as the other AF drugs I took).

[Diver2]

Call your Doctor.... explain the lump and lack of blood thinners and ask his thinking behind both. He is the only one who can tell if you are getting the correct medical care..... mistakes do happen frequently

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Since 'lump' and 'bruising' comes up ... thought I would address my experience.

My two ablations 10 years ago caused .... angry looking, almost 1/8" puncture sites ... with bruising all the way around from top of thighs to belly button. Not much pain, though. Punctures eventually healed after nearly 2 weeks. I remember awaking in post-op recovery with a small nurse astride me pressing her thumbs into the puncture site to stop bleeding. It hurt!!!

Now ... my recent ablation was all updated, state-of-the-art technology. The puncture sites immediately after procedure looked like a small 'freckle.' I was shocked. Nothing like the previous punctures I had. No bruising. In fact, they looked healed right out of the door.

Also, the EP used new Collagen Plugs to close the puncture site blood vessels. This means ... no hurtful pressure needed ... and you don't have to lay flat-on-your-back for 8+ hours like the older method. I was up within 2 hours of surgery walking and talking. The collagen plugs are absorbed back into the body during healing, which is brief.

Now, my EP Dr. Andrea Natale, is one of the best, so that may be why I had such a great experience. Other EP's may not use such refined techniques.

[acfxr12]

Mhat3- first, thanks for your service! I am 70 days into my 90 day "blanking period" post ablation. The knots are normal. Mine are still there although much smaller. I too was bruised up from a "bleeder" and nurse applying pressure to stop it. Right now if you are like me, you are watching every little thing, every extra or missed beat, ever twinge of pain every lump, bump and worried that all are bad signs.

I am still there, but not near as bad as the initial days after my procedure. You will be fine! It is a bit of a ride immediately after, but I can tell the healing is happening as things are leveling out. I am sure you will have a great outcome, I did mega research before my ablation, I have family members that have had them done and they all have been fine.

I have experience with military Docs as well, I think they are great for doing what they do, however, my experience was as officers they really did the "get in, get out" methodology anytime they worked on me. I am also familiar with chain of command and officers expectations of the enlisted folks that work for them in clerical positions. My guess is that you need to call the VA and your EP's assistant (who the doc forgot to tell to issue the script) and they will most likely put you on blood thinners. keep your chin up, and best to you!