Coumadin and Pacemaker Battery Replacement

Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

John & Joann

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2001
Messages
421
Location
Lima, Ohio
Joann has 2 mechanical valves, 3 bypass, and a pacemaker. She will need the battery on the pacemaker changed in the near future. Her INR range is 2.5 to 3.5 since she is HIGH risk with 2 valves. She has already had 1 stroke prior to her last surgery with no significant residual problems and approximately 20 TIA's following her last surgery.
She is also allergic to Heaperin due to a reaction. The Heaperin issue is very serious. They have used Refludin with success, but this drug has no reversal and is dangerous. She can not use Lovenox since that is closely related to Heaperin.

Can the battery be changed without going off Coumadin? Can the procedure be done with the INR at 2.0. She did go off Coumadin prior to the last valve surgery without any problem.

We are both very concerned about this issue. Al, we would really appreciate your comments. The local cardiologist thinks that she must go off coumadin. Cleveland Clinic is still reviewing the issue.

We will have the procedure done at Cleveland Clinic. This is not open to discussion.

Sorry for the long post, but the details are all important.
 
You cannot find better doctors than those available at The Cleveland Clinic. Your problem is similar to that faced by Gisele in that there is no correct answer. All I can say is go with what the doctors at CC decide. You know that the best minds are working on the problem. You just have to say, "We went with the decision that was based on the information available at the time."
 
Three days off

Three days off

Joann, I have looked at a lot of the literature related to this problem. I think the least risk for you would be three days no coumadin, replace the batteries , and then start up again regular dose the day after the procedure.
 
Great News!! Joann's battery will be dead very soon. Cleveland Clinic will change the battery without going off Coumadin. They have 2 doctors that do NOTHING except pacemaker. They do require you to go off Coumadin if they need to change the leads. Joann does not have a problem with the lead wires.

This has been a very big concern since she already had a major stroke and many TIA's.

Oct. 30th is the date. The pressure is now off.
 
Hi John and Joann-

Thanks for letting us know the very good news. I was going to write to you and ask about the situation, so I'm so relieved to hear that things have worked out in a favorable way.

Best wishes,
 
Not only great news for you but good news for everyone else who has a pacemaker.
 
GREAT NEWS John and Joann !

Managing multiple medical maladies sometimes calls for miracles.
I'm glad you found one. Best wishes!

'AL'
 
Since the pacemaker was inserted many years ago, you might check to see if they might replace the pacemaker with a newer version. Technology has advanced so far since the mid 90s that there might be a big advantage to going to a newer version rather than just a battery replacement.
Good Luck
 
Just a note to let everyone know that they change the entire pacemaker--not just the battery. You get a new battery and new technology. The lead wires into the heart are used by the new device.

Happy Clicking.
 
It sounds like going to the parts store and getting adapters to fit your model!!

Amazing isn't it?
 
We received a telephone call from Cleveland Clinic. They say that the pacemaker must be replaced immediately. We are off to Cleveland on Sunday. The pacemaker will be replaced on Monday. The INR will be around 2.2 when they do the procedure.

We are VERY confident that this will go as planned. We anticipate that Joann will be home by Wednesday Oct. 8th. New pacemaker, new battery and more clicking!
 
Hi John and Joann,
I hope everything goes OK. Keep us posted.
You both are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take Care.

Dave
_____________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies
 
Godspeed.

I'm sure that your good news will be the main topic of conversation at the reunon.
 
Hi John,

Please give Joann my best! We will be waiting to hear the "good news".

Take care and please keep us posted.
 
Back
Top