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Hematoma risk after needle electromyography.

Andrea J Boon¹, Jon T Gertken, James C Watson

¹Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. boon.andrea@mayo.edu

|December 23, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Needle electromyography (EMG) is safe for patients on blood thinners. This study found no increased risk of hematoma formation in high-risk muscles during EMG procedures, even for those on anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Diagnostic Procedures

Background:

Clinical experience suggests needle electromyography (EMG) is safe.
No evidence-based guidelines exist for EMG in patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the risk of hematoma formation after EMG in high-risk muscles for patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents.

Main Methods:

Patients undergoing routine EMG were assessed via ultrasound if seven predetermined high-risk muscles were tested.
Subjects were categorized into groups based on medication: warfarin, aspirin/clopidogrel, or no blood-thinning medication.

Main Results:

Two small, subclinical hematomas were detected via ultrasound.
No significant difference in hematoma risk was observed between the medication groups (P = 0.43).

Conclusions:

Hematoma formation during standard needle EMG is uncommon, even in muscles historically avoided in anticoagulated patients.
The findings support the safety of EMG in patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.