Surgical procedures whilst on warfarin

[Annaelizabeth]

I take it there are protocols for surgical procedures whilst on warfarin, is there also a risk of aggravating AF. Would be grateful for advice here, as may well be faced with the above in the near future and slightly apprehensive as would hate my little boat to be rocked!

[BobD Volunteer]

Normal procedure is to stop warfarin five days prior to any surgery and start again maybe two days afterwards. Had loads of surgery on the stuff and never a problem . Regarding AF being aggravated it is unlikely but your hospital doctor will need to know about it. You can discuss this during pre op appointment.

Hope that helps

Bob

[Annaelizabeth in reply to BobD]

Thank you. The surgeon feels that the level of stress before the procedure is a key factor, if one is relatively calm, the outcome is favourable.

[stormcloud]

I asked my surgeon about the possibility of my forthcoming operation making my AF worse as it has improved so much in the last year. He said thai it is quite possible due to the anaesthetic and the stress of the operation, This is one of the reasons I am hesitating about having it done. A hip operation isn't a procedure that is life saving and if I had to choose between suffering with AF, when it was very symptomatic, or the hip pain and immobility, I woud choose to suffer with the latter.

[Annaelizabeth in reply to stormcloud]

Thank you, I hope the hip isn't too bad, not a pleasant decision to make.

[Hidden]

each area has their own protocols for warfarin. I am on new anticoagulant and my cardiac centre has just issued new protocol for the new drugs. Ask the question as everyone is human and they may forget to tell you.