ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: barryLA on September 07, 2011, 09:34:14 am

Title: warfarin/coumadin artificial heart valve
Post by: barryLA on September 07, 2011, 09:34:14 am
I was in wait and watch for a year.
My doctor suggested today that we should now begin some treatment -- Dr Cueva at Kaiser.
I have an artificial mitral valve & I take warfarin as an anticoagulant.
If they do surgery, I'll be off anticoagulation for a week or so.
This increases the likelihood of stroke.
Does anyone have experience with warfarin & surgery?
Many thanks!
--Barry
Title: Re: warfarin/coumadin artificial heart valve
Post by: Cheryl R on September 07, 2011, 10:05:35 am
Barry,  I can only speak for other types of surgery and not AN. As a retired nurse, almost every one was taken off it for surgeries and I never saw any problem with someone having a stroke due to that short time frame.      The chances of stroke are not real high with AN surgery unless you have a very large AN.            Make sure and see what your surgeon says about it.      I would think the odds are that you would be ok.                         Cheryl R
Title: Re: warfarin/coumadin artificial heart valve
Post by: leapyrtwins on September 07, 2011, 12:45:05 pm
Barry -

we aren't doctors; some on the Forum (like Cheryl R) are nurses, but your best bet is to talk to a physician about a question like this.

Good luck,

Jan