Exploded vein after IV?!
Question: Exploded vein after IV.?
I had a IV inserted two days ago. They "exploded" or "ruptured" the vein on the FIRST of many attempts. It now has a large bruise around the needle stick point and is slightly raised like a lump. I have 3 blood clotting disorders. (Prothrombin,MTHFR and Factor V) My mom also has these disorders and said it happens to her and to use a warm compress and continue taking aspirin. And that they NEVER put an IV in a artery just in secondary veins. Is this true.? Should I worry or "do as my mother says".? Thanks.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
You mother is correct in saying that they don't usually put IVs into arteries. This would only be by accident, or if there were doing a specific arterial puncture to look for things like a blood gas, or to insert a line to monitor your blood pressure. When inserting an IV, it is actually quite common to "blow the vein" as we say. And certainly, someone with a clotting disorder is at increased risk of either clotting or bleeding, depending on the disorder.
I'm assuming that your history is for prothrombin deficiency (quite rare), and Factor V Leiden, as well as MTHFR. These give you a combination of a decreased ability to clot (abnormality in prothrombin), and an increased propensity for clotting (MTHFR and Factor V Leiden). Generally, though, the prothrombin deficiency will outweigh the other two, and you could be at increased risk of bleeding, not clotting. In that case, do not take the aspirin if you have a spreading clot until you talk to your doctor...it could cause serious bleeding.
If, however, I have the wrong disorder and in fact all three of your conditions cause you to have an increased risk of clotting, then your mother is correct. Any time that you are concerned about the size of a bruise, however, and if you have any pain in the limb, you should see your physician. Good luckHealth Question & Answer
I'm assuming that your history is for prothrombin deficiency (quite rare), and Factor V Leiden, as well as MTHFR. These give you a combination of a decreased ability to clot (abnormality in prothrombin), and an increased propensity for clotting (MTHFR and Factor V Leiden). Generally, though, the prothrombin deficiency will outweigh the other two, and you could be at increased risk of bleeding, not clotting. In that case, do not take the aspirin if you have a spreading clot until you talk to your doctor...it could cause serious bleeding.
If, however, I have the wrong disorder and in fact all three of your conditions cause you to have an increased risk of clotting, then your mother is correct. Any time that you are concerned about the size of a bruise, however, and if you have any pain in the limb, you should see your physician. Good luckHealth Question & Answer
I have bad veins and the IV 'blows' all the time. It usually has to be redone 3 or more times. Some of the common causes are the needle goes too deep, they try to catch a rolling vein and poke the other side (blood will leak out and the vein is useless) or it just happens. After it blows and they pull the needle out keeping heavy pressure on the vein longer will help reduce the bruising and swelling. So I agree with your mother on the aspirin but I use ice instead of heat.Health Question & Answer