Hi everyone. I have two mechanical valves and am on lifelong warfarin. Has anyone with a mechanical valve had to stop warfarin for a procedure who could give me their experience please. This is troubling me and would like to hear your experiences please.
Thank you so much xx
Jules
Hello Julie I followed a regime for colon surgery in 2018 and I have a mechanical valve. I cannot find the plan I followed pre-op but if memory serves me correct I stopped taking my daily dose on the Sunday before the operation on the Wednesday. This is how I returned to my normal levels post-op to get my INR back in range (2.0-3.0):
Day 1 (operation day): normal dose (for me 10mg) @1800
Day 2: 5mg @0900, 10mg@1800
Day 3: 5mg@0800 10mg@1800 (INR 1.1)
Day 4: 10mg @0800, 10mg @1800 (INR 1.3)
Day 5: 10mg@1800 (INR 1.8)
Day 6: 10mg@0700, 10mg@1800 (INR 1.8)
Day 7: 10mg @1800 normal daily dose (INR 2.1)
This was the first time I had to stop taking warfarin so I share your concerns but I had no issues as a result. The above regime was as directed by the doctor who performed the surgery. Good luck
Hi JulieI have an artificial Aortic Heart Value and have been on warfarin for 25 years. I was taken off warfarin for two weeks after having emergency brain surgery. I read up about this a few months ago and the conclusion was that being off warfarin for two weeks was ok. So I would not worry about it.
Hope all goes well for you.
oh my gosh Becky that’s so reassuring. Thank you for your reply, and sharing your experience with me. I hope that you are recovered fully from your brain surgery - you certainly have a lot going on; this makes me feel that, actually, there are always those who have more to deal with than others. Much love xx
Thank you Julie, I am fully recovered I am pleased to say. I know how you feel, it is hard not to worry. You take care and try not to worry. 🥰xx
Stopping warfarin is it a gradual process?
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