Blood clots

[Tickertalker]

Hi all, I wonder if anyone is qualified to answer this question. I had a mechanical aortic valve put in around four weeks ago. Last week I was transferred to a rehab as it was my misfortune to suffer a stroke during surgery. On arrival they tested my platelets and found they had dropped from 300 to 27 overnight. (They were mistaken) Fearing an allergic reaction to Warfarin they stopped my blood thinners and put me on a Vit K drip before starting me on blood thinning injections. I guess I spent around three days with an inr at around 1.4. I'm now worried sick that my valve and aneurysm repair are full of blood clots. Is there anything I can do to dissolve any clot or dampen my anxiety? And, if not, how long before any danger will have passed? I am so scared I will have a second stroke. Any information would be gratefully received.

[Hidden]

That's a bad run for you. There is nothing you can do to dissolve clots. I am sure that they would have checked for clots before you left and were happy there was no danger.

I had a similar problem but with a clot inside an LVAD. They did much the same things as they did to you and that was a year ago and everything is fine.

You should discuss it at your next appointment or ring you GP.

[Hidden]

Good morning, I can understand your concerns regarding blood clots , I was told by my warfarin nurse that if anyone had a valve replacement that they were put onto warfarin for life.

Are you still having the warfarin injections now?

I would imagine that you will probably be having a six weeks after op consultation shortly which would be a good time to ask the question, but in the meantime if you really can’t wait until then give your cardiology department a call.

Wishing you peace of mind

Elaine

[Sunnie2day]

For peace of mind you might want to contact the BHF Heart Helpline cardiac nurses. The following link is to their contact details page on the BHF website - you can telephone, email, or use the chat-box:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[ILowe]

You mention blood thinning injections. These will have covered you while your INR was low.

It is common enough for patients needing an operation to have their warfarin stopped to reduce the INR. Then it takes time for the Warfarin to kick in once re-started. The injections cover you during this time.

[Smarticus]

Hi, two things. The injections will be? Heparin, this will reduces clotting and will break down clots, the problem is that clots become mobile... Warfarin tends to be in tablet form and is more of a blood thinner. I would say if you havnt had any problems in the last four weeks you "should" be ok (obviously some random internet stranger) but I would be happy with that. An INR of 1.4 is not where you want to be, do you know what your INR is now? 5-8? are you back on warfarin? have you discussed apixaban? HTH