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Hematoma risk after needle electromyography
Author(s) -
Boon Andrea J.,
Gertken Jon T.,
Watson James C.,
Laughlin Ruple S.,
Strommen Jeffrey A.,
Mauermann Michelle L.,
Sorenson Eric J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.22227
Subject(s) - medicine , electromyography , hematoma , aspirin , subclinical infection , anticoagulant , warfarin , surgery , clopidogrel , ultrasound , anesthesia , radiology , cardiology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , atrial fibrillation
Although needle electromyography (EMG) appears to be a relatively safe procedure based primarily on clinical experience, no evidence‐based guidelines exist for EMG procedures in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. We sought to determine whether there is an increased risk of hematoma formation after EMG of potentially high‐risk muscles in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. Methods: After undergoing routine EMG, if any of seven predetermined high‐risk muscles were tested, study subjects then underwent ultrasound to evaluate for hematoma formation. Results: Patients were divided into three groups based on medication (warfarin, aspirin/clopidogrel, no blood‐thinning medication), with at least 100 muscles examined per group. Two small, subclinical hematomas were seen on ultrasound; there was no difference in hematoma risk between groups ( P = 0.43). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that hematoma formation from standard needle EMG is rare even in high‐risk muscles, which have been avoided historically in anticoagulated patients. Muscle Nerve 45: 9–12, 2012