Bridge Therapy

[Guest]

Two years ago, I gave a presentation at the Golden Reunion about bridge therapy. Since then there has been a lot of research done on this. Still, nothing is approved by the FDA. I have recently reworked the web page on this. They have now categorized clotting risk by valve location. Probably the biggest change is in the use of low-molecular weight heparin. They no longer recommend it within 24 hours before surgery and delay its use for up to 72 hours after surgery when the procedure done causes a high risk of bleeding. If you are going to have a procedure, you will probably want to print this page and match your valve location with what is being done to get the latest recommendations. Please read it carefully since there are now parts that do not pertain to people with valves. It is rather complicated but the results should be much better.
http://www.warfarinfo.com/bridgetherapy.htm

 

[Karlynn]

Thanks Al!

I do have one question, just to know if I'm reading correctly. The section where it tells what the recommended # of days are to stop warfarin prior to procedure: Since I have an MVR I'm considered high risk for clot. If my INR is 3.5 or greater ( which it is most times) it's recommended that I stop warfarin 6 days prior and start LMWH 2 days later (4 days before procedure) and take up to 24 hours before procedure.

Did I interpret correctly?

 

[Guest]

I think that you have it right. This would result in you being at risk for a clot for a minimal amount of time.