Following Guidelines for Valve Repair in the UK

[Guest]

I found the following study about cardiac surgeons in the UK.

All consultant cardiac surgeons adequately anticoagulate their patients after mechanical valve replacement. Only 16% (16/97) of cardiac surgeons follow current guidelines for the postoperative anticoagulation of bioprosthetic AVR. Only 28% (24/86) of consultant cardiac surgeons comply with guidelines for bioprosthetic MVR.
Vaughan P, Waterworth PD. An audit of anticoagulation practice among UK cardiothoracic consultant surgeons following valve replacement/repair.
J Heart Valve Dis. 2005 Sep;14(5):576-82.

Looks like no country has a monopoly on doctors who don't follow guidelines.

 

[Ross]

And who are we to change it?

 

[Christina L]

I know I didn't leave

I know I didn't leave

the hospital on any type of anticoagulation after my mitral valve repair and my cardiologist was incredulous about that. I went into a-fib two weeks postop and then was put on Coumadin for a few months and also have Lovenox shots for several weeks.

I am unsure if I was on a blood thinner while in the hospital; I would guess I was, but, I have no clue. I was so out of it those days post surgery....it is all a blur or otherwise I am just using selective memory.

Christina L.