What Causes Numbness And Tingling In Fingers After An Angiogram?

Posted on Mon, 22 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 4 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had an angiogram in the wrist and groin, I was diagnosed with a blockage on the bottom of the right side of my heart. Supposedly a .08 which I was told was minor coronary. I was put on baby apsirin and lipitor. No stint was used. Last night on the same arm as angiogram, my thumb and first finger turned white, numb and tingley. They are still this way now, and it has been 31 hours. Can this be caused from the angiogram done on my wrist? The angiogram was done the middle of January. Do I need to seek treatment? I crochet with this hand every day, and sort mail, as I am a mail carrier. Could it be arthiritis?

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need to have doppler and EMG of the affected arm

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Based on the history you have shared, it is quite possible and can be due to compromised blood flow to the affected area and that can be due to some thrombus formation or numbness can be due to nerve damage in this area. It is advisable to get examined by your GP at the earliest for comparison of pulses in the vessels of hand and get a doppler ultrasound to check the blood flow in the affected area and to rule out any obstruction caused by some thrombus. If sensations in the affected area are lost, integrity of the nerves can also be seen by carefull examination and if needed nerve conduction studies to see any nerve damage. Meanwhile keep on using baby aspirin and lipitor. Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T