Hi everyone
I am reading contracting view regarding that one should stop taking blood thinners few days before the ablation procedure where others say one should carry on as there is a more chance to have a clout during the procedure
Appreciate your experience and views
Thank you
Whilst we can all tell a tale of our experienced we are not medically trained.
You must consult your EP for guidance in this matter.
Pete
Your cardiologist will be the one to decide on this important matter, not a member of this forum.In the past, having had several ablations it used to be stop and more recently keep taking but it is up to your EP to decide.
Fifteen years ago it was common to stop warfarin five days before ablation and bridge with clopidogrel but then people decided that micro-embolii could be formed during the procedure which were causing brain fog at least if not worse so these days most EPs require anticoagulation to continue. Unless you have been told otherwise please continue.
When I was a Dental Nurse, the patients always had to stop their Warfarin, if having extractions, there were no DOAC’s then. I’ve never had to stop my Edoxaban when having extractions. I have been told that I have to take it for life, even though I’ve had an ablation.
Are you saying that you have a successfull ablation and no AF but you are still on blood thinners?
Yes. I’ve been told I have to stay on them for life.
Thanks
Me too
Yes it is important to carry on taking anticoagulants for Life even after ablation because there is always the risk of having a stroke. However, I understand there is no need to carry on taking Betablockers post ablation, especially if one is fitted with a pacemaker. It is most important to ask your PE cardiologist.
Not in the last fifteen years in my dentists if INR less than 3. I even had a BCC removed a few years ago while still taking it. .
Hi Bob I think 2-3 consider to be normal for people taking thinner
thanks
Regarding INR, it largely depends on why you are taking it. For AF the normal is median 2.5 range 2 to 3 but for example mechanical heart valves usually demand higher maybe median 3.5 range 3 to 4. The UK expert on INR did once tall me than nothing bad happens up to INR5.
Things have changed since I stopped working for the dentist, when he retired many years ago.
You must check but I can't recall seeing anyone stopping apixaban for so long prior to ablation. I had only to stop mine the night before. But check
Best to check with your EP as it really depends on your health issues.
As others have said, the he only person who can tell you is the EP doing the procedure.
As info, for my last September's ablation, I had to make sure my INR (warfarin) was in the normal range, 2- 3, a couple of days before. I advised my EP of my INR and the instruction was to keep taking the normal dose. During the procedure, extra heparin was used, and reversed afterwards.
Yes mine was 1.9 the week before the op for AtrialFlutter so EP wouldn't do Ablation I had to go home and stay above 2 for another month
sorry did not understand your message
could you please explaine a bit
Thanks
Simple, to be sure that no clots are already present and waiting INR has to be within normal range for one month prior to procedure. (Warfain of course.) It is possble to by pass this by doing a TOE (trans oespohageal echocardigram) prior to the procedure. I had to have one once because in ignorance I had stopped anticoagulation after my ablation but then needed a cardioversion.
In order for my Ablation to take place my warfarin IRN level had to be between 2 and 3 , but a week before it was due to take place it was 1.9 I phoned cardiology and they said come anyway and they will test again but it was 1.9 again and he wouldn't do it because I could have a bleed because blood too thick , so was all ok a month later at 2.4 and Ablation went ahead now all ok
When I had my ablation in September I was told to switch the time taking my anticoagulant from morning to 5.30 pm for about two weeks before including the night before the ablation. Had the ablation in the morning and was then given next one at 5.30 .
Thank you LizLancashire for sharing this
Did the EP give any reason for changing the timing and may I ask how are you after ablation
thanks
No I didn't question them, the instruction came via Arrhythmia nurse and I did as I was told. I've been fine since ablation apart from one blip which I wrote about a couple of days ago.
Thanks We as a patient never question the reasons , may politeness or fear stop us asking !!!
I question many things of my heart team but on this issue, I definitely defer to their expert knowledge.
I questioned EP about flecainide but over the timing of taking medication before the ablation I defer to their knowledge and accepted it was the latest thinking of what was best.
Thanks
I had a ablation done in Nov 24,advised to take apixaban blood thinner as normal but to stop betablockers 48hours before op. no food from midnight before op,no fluids from 9am day of op between 12 and 4pm Glenfield 🙂
Thank you Ragdoll for sharing this
I was at Glenfield, had exactly the same instructions
Had my ablation at Glenfield too, in Sept 2023.Same instructions. Who did yours.? Dr Sandilands did mine. He told me he’d done over 2000 ablations, so I was in good hands. Hopefully, the beast stays away.🤞
Do check this with your own EP in advance. My own experience when I had my cryoablation exactly a year ago was that I had to take Edoxaban for one month before the op and I was told most definitely to take it as usual on the morning of the op.
Thank you As for as I know from reading s , it is suggested that one should take minimum for three weeks before any procedure like variation or ablation
Thanks for the info
Hope you had a successful outcome
Hmmm, TBC😊
I was stopped morning of only. And back on it a few hours afterwards. They also give you heparin during the procedure as far as I'm aware. I was never stopped for anything more than the day of the procedure and I've had two.
hi. My EP was insistent that I did not forget a single apixaban for the 30 days before my ablation They gave me strict guidelines so prob best to give the secretary a ring. Hope all well and a successful ablation for you.
My EP told me to keep taking the apixaban and I had no problem during the ablation
Hope you had a successful outcome
thanks
I did indeed, no episodes that I am aware of since, 12 months now 🤞the beast stays asleep ❤️
Very pleased to hear that and do hope it stay like that
Hi Karendeena. Lets hope we are lucky and the beast stays away.🤞🤞
👍Been having a traumatic time with mum and brother and yesterday had to say goodbye to our lovely little Persian cat Lottie who reached 16 years of age, I will miss her so much. Was dreaming allsorts last night and woke with my heart racing but regular, think it was just the upset and stress. How are you doing now? X
Sorry to hear that. It’s not easy for you.It’s sad when you loose your much loved pet. I know how I felt when I had my King Charles spaniel put to sleep. I am hopefully doing ok now. Have another hypnotherapy session tomorrow.I find it helpful.
Hi Sixtychick
very interested to know about hypnotherapy .is it possible to tell what are objective for this and if it is working I heard a lot about it but never found any one treating by it
I do get anxiety from time to time and worry about my health and other things. I have had hypnotherapy on and off for a few years. I find it works for me and helps me to stop worrying. You are always in control and can stop it at any time if you want to. It is not like you see on tv, when they get you to do stupid things. To be honest, I’m not really sure how it works, I only know it does for me and things like CBT, didn’t work as well. If you were interested, you could try it once and see how you get on. I find 1 or 2 sessions at a time, is enough for me now.
I had to take them for at least four weeks before the ablation and continue afterwards until advised otherwise.
Hi Jajarunner
Thanks for the info
How are you since the ablation Hope it was successfull
Not sure yet. Weaning off amiodarone in April so we shall see 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞thanks for asking 🙏
I was only told to stop my Sotalol,heart drug, not my Edoxaban anti coagulant. I had an enormous bruise in my groin after my ablation, that’s all. I’ve had teeth out and not had to stop it for that either.
thanks hope all is well now
I had my ablation in Sept 2023, so 18 months ago now.Just hoping the the beast stays away.🤞🤞
I'm on Edoxaban and I had enormous bruise from groin to knee. Looked far worse than it felt.
Hi let’s hope it get better Hope the ablation was successful
Yes my bruise didn’t hurt. Never had such a big bruise before though.
Hi Pottypete1
I had ablation last November. I took Rivaoxaban every night at 7pm and bever stopped as they said always take it. The day of my procedure they asked me when I last had my tablet. They said that's fine we will give you more during the procedure. So I guess it's up to you. But why not contact your cardiologist secretary.
Thank you will do
I disagree. Again they know things about you and that’s how they handle it. I’ve never heard of anyone getting it during a procedure. In fact it’s usually keeping away from it.
Speak to your doctor or nurse if you can’t get them there has to be someone that knows his procedure. This is serious stuff. Some of us might be more prone to clotting. If I was so knowledgeable, I would be very busy and very rich right now lol
Before my doctor will even see me when I have an appointment. He will have his NP go over all the preliminary info that cuts his time down with me or so it appears, but in reality by the time he walks into the room, he knows everything I have told her and for the most part have answers
I had my ablation in Dec 24. and was strictly told if I missed ONE dose of Reveroxiban in the preceding 3 weeks, the procedure was off. Took one on the morning of procedure, too, as advised by the team.
So consult the AF team, they will tell you very clearly what they want.
Thank you Mcgandy
How are you now
Hope ablation worked its magic
I am having my ablation tomorrow and will take two doses of eliquis today , but skip my morning dose tomorrow
I’ve had 3 ablations 2019 to 2025 and each time just to drop Apixaban night before. Best checking with EP tho as he knows your history
you should get instructions from your doctor before the procedure. If not I would call and ask. They are best to help you with your questions. Good luck!🙂
i was told if i missed any edoxaban in the 3 weeks before ablation i would be refused the operation.
Im now 4 years post op in NSR. I dropped edoxaban 1 year after op, CHADS score of 1 just due age. No meds at all now save sotalol as PIP ( used only during 2 bouts of AF when i had covid twice. NSR 40 min post 80 mg sotalol each time)
You will see here that we all suggest you talk to the doctor because they all have their own way of things. They also have knowledge of you if they have done a procedure before. My previous EP even had it noted loss was 1 teaspoon full. These are probably the things decisions on and previous procedures they have done. I have gone from not stopping to being off of them for up to three days depending on the procedure, etc. and the doctor. Once again, we are all different.
While it is nice to compare so that you see you are not alone and feeling a certain way that to handle your. That’s why your doctor or what they are and it took a long time for them to get there.
I see far too many people seem to take their medication, etc. into their own hands. I find that frightening. If you are taking something and you really believe it’s making you ill. I can understand stopping it while you call your doctor but otherwise cold turkey probably will make you feel even worse.
best of luck with everything you have done please speak to your doctor. Usually, you will also get a fact sheet procedure I have actually had my doctor a nurse make changes even on that based on me. Just be careful and be good to yourself.
I've had two ablations and each time was asked to skip the dose just before my procedure. You are still covered and the EP will be using heparin through your procedure and monitoring your blood very closely. It would not hurt if you could ask them how they monitor your blood during the procedure...
I know from my own experience that they monitor the clotting factor of your blood throughout the procedure (I saw it in my records). They had me stop taking eliquis 24 hours before, btw. I'm sure it depends on the individual and the type of blood thinner you're on.
i understand any ablation premed includes a massive dose of heparin ( snake venom!) to prevent clots on the inserted probes, especially if transseptal penetration is required ( ablation of left atrium)
Your doctor will you those instruction before the procedure.
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