Post ablation - enter site swelling

[En85]

I had a catheter ablation on Thursday and I noticed this morning that the area around the entrance site in my groin is quite swollen. I don't have pain, blood or bruising. I'm just wondering what is normal swelling or if I should get it checked 🤔 I looked for info around and they say that some swelling is normal, but also that it is something to watch out.

[Rainfern]

Wishing you all success with ablation and recovery! My feeling about follow-up issues is that if it feels of concern get it checked out. Are you able to call your cardio team? However, like you say some swelling is normal. It should go down quite quick but definitely get it checked if it worsens.

[En85 in reply to Rainfern]

this morning is better already! Maybe I'm over cautious 😅

[Rainfern in reply to En85]

That’s brilliant. Having an ablation is quite a shake up to the system. We’re allowed to be over-cautious!

[mjames1 in reply to En85]

Sounded like a normal response to the groin insertion. If in doubt, you might text or email the nurse a picture so they can better assess.

Jim

[BobD Volunteer]

Any redness or inflamation seek medical attention, but a hard lump and lots of pretty bruising is quite normal.

[En85 in reply to BobD]

I find it difficult to asses. It's not red and not painful, but I noticed it is more swollen if I move around and it get back if I lay down... definitely it's not a small lump but more like the whole area a bit swollen.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to En85]

Then don't move around. LOL 😁 You are supposd to do nothing the first week (TV remote only) and maybe week two you can make some tea. I will add our fact sheet on recovery.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[En85 in reply to BobD]

Thank you 😂

[Buzby62]

I can still feel a slight lump after almost 8 weeks. It was like a large broad bean for a few weeks and then started to go down. Nurses told me a broad bean is ok but if it’s like an egg give them a call. They also said it might not go completely. It was gone enough not to notice it after about 4-5 weeks. My arrhythmia nurses were very helpful and supportive via email and over the phone.

[doodle68]

I had heavy bleeding from the groin after my ablation and had to have applied pressure for 5 hours which was excruciatingly painful because of the osteoarthritis in my hip , My leg was black from groin to knee and I developed a hard lump the size of half a walnut which lasted weeks . The groin didn’t hurt though. Unable to drive for a week and my family away for a pre Christmas visit to London I was unable to get to the surgery to get it checked so I kept an eye on it having promised my family I would call an ambulance if I had concerns or developed worrying symptoms .

[En85 in reply to doodle68]

I had the pressure for 20 h, very painful even without arthritis. I think I'm getting the half walnut too, but no bruising so far, just some yellowish 🤞🤞

[Afibflipper]

I was quite black and blue and rather shocked at the groin lump which like you was not really painful just hard and made me feel quite queezy. I called the arrhythmia nurse who said it was normal and will re absorb over the next weeks. As long as it wasn’t bleeding, getting bigger or red hot and angry I should be ok (I’ll prvt mesg a tip I was given

[Sixtychick]

I had an ablation in September. They didn’t stop my anti-coagulants, so I had the most enormous bruises around the area the catheters went in. I had a slight swelling, which didn’t last long, but the bruises lasted for ages. If you’re worried, you could ring the hospital. I was given a number I could ring up the cardiac nurses if I had any problems. Hope your ablation is successful and the awful AFib stays away.

[En85 in reply to Sixtychick]

It's much better now and I thought the same, they gave me anticoagulant and probably my body overacted because of that. Thank you for sharing your experience I hope yours was also successful 🤞🤞

[Sixtychick in reply to En85]

The Doctor said it went well, so 🤞🤞🤞 but unfortunately, you’ll not know if it’s worked, unless the AFib comes back. It’s not like having tonsils out, you know they’ve gone.!! I try not to worry about that, but I think it might always be at the back of my mind.

[En85 in reply to Sixtychick]

I know 😂 Mine looked all satisfied when I woke up, so I'm very hopeful 🤞🤞

I feel very lucky I had this opportunity, 20 years ago there was no possible solution for afib.

[Sixtychick in reply to En85]

That’s true. Lucky we have people who can do these things. The Doctor who did mine at Leicester Glenfield hospital, said he had done over 2000 ablations, which is pretty remarkable, so I must have been in good hands. He certainly has had plenty of experience.

[En85 in reply to Sixtychick]

Yes, that's impressive and amazing! I had it done in Italy and the ablation room looked like science fiction 😄

[Sixtychick in reply to En85]

Yes there was a lot of equipment in there. It was a bit daunting when you went in there.

[En85 in reply to Sixtychick]

I had too many people to distract me. When I understood I was going to sleep, all my worries were gone 🤣

[Sixtychick in reply to En85]

I had mine done under sedation and local anaesthetic.