Discharged from hospital

[Daisyblu]

Discharged from the Heart Institute as my INR levels would not allow ablation to go ahead ( risk of clots). Started new meds - Digoxin, Ramipiril and Fruosemide to add to Bisoprolol, Atorvastatin and Warfarin and my heart rate has come down and no longer breathless but feel very lethargic ! Ablation now booked for 17 May as a day case patient and am due to have an Echocardiogram on the 5th May. Hopefully bloods will be at the right level to allow ablation to go ahead - having weekly INR tests to monitor.

[BobD Volunteer]

I take it your INR was too low when admitted? Were you not having weekly INR tests running up to the date of your procedure? Horse bolting /stable door springs to mind which isn't very fair on you.

[Daisyblu in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob. My admission was a bit more complex than that. My INR levels had gone off the scale ( target range is around 3) and it was 8+ when I was admitted with high heart rate and breathlessness so they stopped my warfarin for a couple of days then it went too low and did not recover enough to allow the planned ablation to take place. I was discharged with Clexane jabs and it is now within range. Just got to keep it around 2.5 until my ablation (17 May). Whilst in hospital a chest Xray revealed fluid on my lungs which Fruosemide resolved. New medication Digoxin and Ramipiril has sorted out heart rate too. I am due to have an echocardiogram on 5 May pre-ablation.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Daisyblu]

Whenever I had ablation on warfarin I had to have a month of weekly in range INR tests. That way there is a sporting chance you will be in range . How on earth did they let you get to 8+?

[Daisyblu in reply to BobD]

I was in South Africa and had an infection so was prescribed penicillin which I believe caused my INR to soar. Didnt know that until I went for my regular test on my return. That combined with my rapid heart rate and breathlessness led to my admission to the Bristol Heart Institute. The doctor in Limpopo knew I was on Warfarin but didnt warn me that antibiotics may have that resut!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Daisyblu]

They can but I have my own machine and four days after a week of amoxicillin for a tooth infection my inr was 2.5 so I think we are all different. I seem to have a very stable INR these days.

[lovetogarden]

How disappointing to be there and ready for the provider and have it cancelled. Best of luck with the next date. Won’t be long!

[CDreamer]

Hard on you as Bob says. Is there a reason for needing Wafarin over any other anticoagulant?

[Daisyblu in reply to CDreamer]

Hi CDreamer. I have been on Warfarin since 1998 when I had an aortic valve replacement. Apparently it is the recommended anticoagulant with procedures of that nature. It was just unfortunate that my INR levels had soared (following being given penillicin whilst in South Africa) and then warfarin witheld causing INR to go too low and not recover in time for ablation . Disappointing but I have echocardiogram booked for 5/5 and ablation on 17/5. Meanwhile my breathlessness has gone and my heart rate has stabilised so all good.