coumadin and blood clotting time

[SV2004]

Hi All

I am in the process of valve selection. I read somwehere over the net that blood takes longer time to clot when a person is on Coumadin. Can you please throw some light on this? Does your blood take longer time to take after you started taking coumadin than pre surgery?

thanks
Sree

 

[Ross]

http://members.aol.com/AMAmail/Coumadin.html

 

[Guest]

Because a mechanical valve is not shaped like a natural one, (and it is a foreign material) it can cause eddy currents around the valve. These spots of stagnation can lead to clot formation. Warfarin slows the clotting time. You are slightly at risk for more bleeding than if you did not take warfarin. Choosing a bioprosthetic valve does not automatically mean that you will not have to take warfarin. Some people develop atrial fibrillation after the surgery and need warfarin anyway.