The first cancelled ablation was in April when I was in hospital. My INR was unacceptably low (1.7) and I was discharged with Clexane injections and a new date for my ablation -17th May.
On the way to hospital with INR 2.6 on the 17th received a call cancelling the procedure due to some issue at the hospital. Given a new date of 31 May.
INR then dropped again requiring further Clexane jabs but reached 2.1 (within the 2-3 level required by the hospital) and packed by bags ready to go . 12hours before my ablation it was cancelled for the third time saying my INR needed to be between 2-3 consistently for around 3 weeks.
Having had another PCR test and another period of isolation in preparation for the ablation I am not a happy bunny. Now waiting yet another date which is unlikely to be before mid-July as consultant planning to do my ablation will be on annual leave apparently.
Aaagh!
Written by
Daisyblu
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Frustrating but necessary. If you are on warfarin an INR in range for at least four weeks is common to prevent the possibiluity of any clots lurking around.
Thanks Bob. I wish they had explained this to me as it makes sense now. Interestingly when I had my first ablation in 2020 I wasn't even asked about or tested to check my INR levels. Maybe the protocol has changed since then.
One of the problems with using Wafarin. Can you transfer to a DOAC? That would remove the INR difficulty because if you can’t keep in INR range it won’t provide the protection you need anyway? I know some people test so that could be an option? I know that there are reasons why some cannot use Wafarin.
I am prescribed Warfarin as I have had a heart valve replacment and it is the recommended anti-coagulant in those cases. I have my INR checked very regularly as it does jump around quite a bit -not sure why as dont drink alcohol or vary my diet. Hopefully it will settle down within the range they require for the ablation.
thought it was the the job of the INR team to manage your INR ready for admission. if they don't do it how are you supposed to you can't alter your prescriptions. seems like yourbeing let down a bit.
I would really recommend you get a Coaguchek and then do your own testing. Also it's a good steady intake of Vit K you need. Some people on warfarin avoid foods high in Vit K but that's the worst thing you can do. I have green leafy veg every day - broccoli, spinach or lettuce plus I take a Vit K2 pill (90mcg) every day and get really steady INR despite a very varied diet.
Thanks Mark. Thats really interesting. I am always being asked if I have increased my leafy green intake and like you I have some form of greens several times a week. Ihave been on Warfarin since 1998 so wonder if Im just really tolerant now and its lost its effectiveness? If you have a Coagucheck do you input your target and it recommends the dose?
Hi Daisy, no, you just put a drop of blood on the test strip and it gives you your INR reading. From that I adjust my warfarin intake very slightly. For instance, if mine's 2.0 to 2.3 I make my dose 9mg, 2.7 to 3, 8mg. 2.4 to 2.6 I keep at 8.5mg. I hardly ever have readings outside the 2.0 to 3.0 range.
Your experience of cancelled procedures sounds very frustrating, Daisyblu. You may keep your packed hospital bag near your door for when you do get called by the hospital and believe the procedure will happen when it is happening. Glad you're keeping ok meantime. Gillian
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