Coumadin and Aspirin

[Karlynn]

I should have asked this earlier, since my cardio appt is today and I was going to ask her about it.

Why do some feel that aspirin is good to add to ACT for mechanical valves?

I know I should know - but I forgot.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I may not get this exactly right, but I think earlier someone described it as Coumadin makes it less sticky and Aspirin makes it slippery, so prevention of two different ways that clots might form.

 

[netmiff]

Don't know the answer, but my surgeon wants ALL his mechanical valvers on aspirin, too. Only thing I can think of is that it acts differently from coumadin, and may provide a slight extra assurance; I think it may also prevent the plaque in arteries, and may reduce the risks of having to have OHS for heart attacks?

 

[olefin]

Karlynn, I don't know what ACT means but my Cardiologist started me on aspirin not long after my AVR. I was having some minor dizzy spells and also some lost of vision in one eye. It was like a window shade effect in one eye that covered part of the eye. My INR was normal 2.5 to 3.5.

I've taken one 81 MG coated aspirin daily ever since. Aspirin helps prevent strokes as far as I know.

Also the AHA recommends aspirin.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Here's the link that Ross posted earlier to Al's site. It explains it.

http://www.warfarinfo.com/aspirin&warfarin.htm

 

[Ross]

olefin ACT=Anti Coagulation Therapy.

 

[Ross]

Here's the link that Ross posted earlier to Al's site. It explains it.

http://www.warfarinfo.com/aspirin&warfarin.htm

Thank you, I was just looking it up to post!

Lets not forget that the Coumadin Yoda has answered most every question on his site.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Don't I win something for beating Ross to his own link?

 

[Ross]

Need to talk to Hank about that one.

 

[olefin]

olefin ACT=Anti Coagulation Therapy.

Wow, been doing it for 18 years and didn't know it.

GREAT link on aspirin & warfarin... thanks boss man!

 

[geebee]

Karlynn,

I take aspirin to help prevent TIAs. I am assuming they are connected to the mechanical valve but not entirely sure. I was not put on aspirin until after I started having TIAs so maybe it depends on one's issues.

 

[njean]

For almost 30 years after my first two OHS, cardiologists always told me NEVER to take aspirin because I was on coumadin!

Then, after my last surgery in 2006, doctors in Houston said I MUST start taking a baby aspirin every day along w/all my other meds! Who can figure???

 

[Bina]

My nurse had told me that the Aspirin works on the platelets, making the blood more slippery, which is a great benefit to those who have plaque on their arteries.
I took it postop for 2 yrs and then my cardio said I could stop taking it since my arteries are good.

 

[dick0236]

Obviously there are differing medical opinions on using aspirin with warfarin. For a short period in the early 1970s, while I was working in Ohio, my doctor put me on one aspirin along with my warfarin daily. When I was transferred back to Louisville, my cardio immediately took me off the aspirin. I was instructed never to take aspirin. Those instructions have continued to the present. A couple years ago, I asked my cardio about adding aspirin and his answer is still no. I assume it depends on each patients personal situation.

 

[njean]

Obviously there are differing medical opinions on using aspirin with warfarin. For a short period in the early 1970s, while I was working in Ohio, my doctor put me on one aspirin along with my warfarin daily. When I was transferred back to Louisville, my cardio immediately took me off the aspirin. I was instructed never to take aspirin. Those instructions have continued to the present. A couple years ago, I asked my cardio about adding aspirin and his answer is still no. I assume it depends on each patients personal situation.

You're very much on the mark on that one Dick! I believe a lot has to do with the cardio & what they have been taught & like you said, the patient's situation.

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Karlynn. After having several of those shade over the eye and a few weak hand episodes, my general practitioner insisted on taking a Plavix along with the Warfarin. (Cardio was fine with it too.) I eventually switched to cheaper alternative (aspirin), and everything seems to be fine. Haven't had near the visual episodes that I had earlier. Don't know if it's coincidence - visual episodes and valves - or if there's a link, but taking both of them seems to work well for me.

 

[olefin]

A couple years ago, I asked my cardio about adding aspirin and his answer is still no. I assume it depends on each patients personal situation.

Or could it be be your Cardiologist?

I take aspirin to help prevent TIAs. I am assuming they are connected to the mechanical valve but not entirely sure. I was not put on aspirin until after I started having TIAs so maybe it depends on one's issues.

Karlynn,
I had some TIAs a month or so after AVR. Thats about when I started aspirin.
My eye doctor said TIA's were small blood clots passing through the optic nerve. Probably caused from the AVR.

 

[Woodbutcher]

What is a TIA ? I get sort of flickers of light around the edge of my vision and also in a wobbly snaky line right across it every once in a while, atleast once a week I'd say. I have to shut my eyes for ten mins then it usually passes? Is that a TIA ? I happened before and since my AVR.

Njean, I'm not sure if that cat is supposed to be scary, but it's spooking me.

 

[njean]

What is a TIA ? I get sort of flickers of light around the edge of my vision and also in a wobbly snaky line right across it every once in a while, atleast once a week I'd say. I have to shut my eyes for ten mins then it usually passes? Is that a TIA ? I happened before and since my AVR.

Njean, I'm not sure if that cat is supposed to be scary, but it's spooking me.

LOL! I'll put up another one in it's place soon. Hopefully not as freaky!!!

 

[olefin]

What is a TIA ? I get sort of flickers of light around the edge of my vision and also in a wobbly snaky line right across it every once in a while, atleast once a week I'd say. I have to shut my eyes for ten mins then it usually passes? Is that a TIA ? I happened before and since my AVR.

Read about TIA's.

No, sounds like you're talking about floaters. I have those only mine looks like a rainbow passing through my eye. I once had a torn retina, my eye filled with little black dots. That was blood but it wasn't visible to another person. It required emergency eye surgery to save the eye.

My first TIA was like someone turn the lights down or it suddenly got cloudy when the sun was shining. I could hold my hand over my good eye, the eye that the TIA was effecting was only half open, with my eye lid fully open! It was like a window shade had been pulled down about half way. It lasted for 5 to 15 minutes. I had this happen a few times the first month or so after AVR.