3 months post mitral repair and no more meds?

[avkelley]

I am 28 and had my mitral valve repaired on March 16. At the time of surgery I was told that I would be on Coumadin for 3 months and then low dose aspirin after that. Tomorrow is 3 months and the nurse from my surgeon's office called today to tell me that I can stop the Coumadin and that I don't need to take aspirin. So basically no meds at all.

In theory this sounds great, but I am a little anxious about the fact that I am going from Coumadin to nothing in one day. I knew with the repair that I wouldn't have to medicate forever, but is it normal to just quit cold turkey?

Also, I don't have an echo scheduled until August, so I haven't seen the valve since it was repaired. Maybe that is why I am having a hard time believing that all is well without meds.

Amanda

 

[bvdr]

Amanda, congratulations! You aren't really stopping cold turkey. It takes a few days for the coumadin to work out of your system anyways. If you feel better about it then consider taking your baby aspirin a day for a while longer. Millions of people do that.

Unless you are having problems then a 6 month post-surgery echo is also pretty routine. Sounds a little too good to be true? Enjoy it!

 

[Georgia]

Lucky duck

Lucky duck

Sure wish I'd been able to get off meds after surgery. Your repair was apparently done before there was damage to your heart. You're very lucky.

 

[Guest]

Also, I don't have an echo scheduled until August, so I haven't seen the valve since it was repaired. Maybe that is why I am having a hard time believing that all is well without meds.

Perhaps, but, as Betty mentioned, a 6-month post-surgery echo is pretty common. I was shocked during my last check-up in May that my cardiologist did not want to do another echo ... but, she quickly noted that the echo 3-months prior showed no reason for another one to be done again so soon. Kind of hard to believe, I know...he he he.


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
MC Guide = http://www.chevyasylum.com/mcspotter/main.html
"Watch over them for me" ... Daryl Worley ... 'If Something Should Happen'

 

[Marge]

I am 28 and had my mitral valve repaired on March 16. At the time of surgery I was told that I would be on Coumadin for 3 months and then low dose aspirin after that. Tomorrow is 3 months and the nurse from my surgeon's office called today to tell me that I can stop the Coumadin and that I don't need to take aspirin. So basically no meds at all.

In theory this sounds great, but I am a little anxious about the fact that I am going from Coumadin to nothing in one day. I knew with the repair that I wouldn't have to medicate forever, but is it normal to just quit cold turkey?

Also, I don't have an echo scheduled until August, so I haven't seen the valve since it was repaired. Maybe that is why I am having a hard time believing that all is well without meds.

Amanda

Three months on coumadin is standard for mitral valve repair. As I understand it, it is just to let your annuplasty ring bond (or something!). It's not really cold turkey anyway, because it takes a few days for coumadin to get out of your system. I too went off coumadin after three months, with no repercussions, after my valve repair & had a good year off the stuff. I was never told to take aspirin.

[Of course, I am on coumadin again now, because of an atrial flutter that developed later, but that's a whole nother story, I doubt you'll have any problems with a-fib or a-flutter, given your age.]

A six month echo sounds fine to me. I had my surgery in February 2004, first echo after that was (iirc) July or August 2004, so I think your scheduling is pretty standard. If you develop any worrisome symptoms, you can always call your cardio.

Congratulations! And have a worry-free summer!