Good Surgery / Not so good INR

[Newbie]

It's been just over 4 weeks since my AVR surgery. From what I read here, typical post-op pains and other issues. 5 days in hospital.

10 days after surgery, I was at the hospital (Montreal Heart Institute) doing the weekly blood test and my INR had gone down to 1.4. Took a Fragmin shot in the stomach and 1 hour later had a mild heart attack.
I was still in the hospital (cardiac only hospital) -- no one knew what I had due to pains I was experiencing were not in the typical spots. I had pains in the abdomen and lower back - as if two guys were punching the heck out of me.

The next day, they found heart enzymes in my blood and ordered several tests and concluded that the valve produced a clot and it clogged a vein which caused a mild heart attack.
So I spent a further 7 days in the hospital. Since then, it's been difficult to get the right dosage of Coumadin, but the last I checked, 1 week ago, it had gone to 3.02 (in the zone) so they think they got it right. Going back on Monday to test it again.

Anyone had anything like this ?

Jose

 

[Greg a]

WELCOME TO THE BOARD TO A FELLOW CANUK i no longer require INRs so I can't be of help ......I can teel you that many here will step up

On a bright note I am sure that you will be watched so closely that you will feel safety in the slace that if anything starts to go wrong it will be caught ,,,,,,that is how I feel

So one again BONJOUR MON AMI

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It's not uncommon for INR to drop with increased activity / metabolism following surgery. The usual practice is to follow weekly until they are SURE your INR is stabilized. I think you are the first I've read of who suffered a Heart Attack following VR but it makes sense. Look on the Bright Side: A Heart Attack is probably better than a Stroke since it sends signals and can be found by the enzyme test as you learned. Glad they caught yours!

'AL C'

 

[Bina]

Jose, my AVR was at the Royal Vic and they kept me for 16 days while my INR stabilized, and it's been stable ever since.
So I don't know what happened with you, but it's best if you ask them alot of questions. You don't want this to happen again.
Welcome to VR.

 

[Ross]

If your having problems with INR, come down to the anticoagulation forum and give us as much information as possible about your dose, diet, excercise, other drugs, basically everything, and we can help you get it stabilized.