Questions about blood thinners before surgery

[Der Biermeister]

Is it normal practice to have all patients stop taking blood thinners a week or so before OHS?

Due to the strange thing that landed me in the hospital a couple of weeks ago, I HAD to stop the Plavix and aspirin therapy. Been off the stuff since March 15 and having my surgery tomorrow.

But I was curious about the "normal" course of events for people preparing for the surgery.

Also -- how soon after the surgery will the cardiologists put patients back on blood thinners?

 

[Computec]

Anticoags and Surgery

Anticoags and Surgery

Yes, being off the anticoagulates before surgery is a must. They'll put you right back on them immediately after surgery.

Best of luck on your coming surgery. As you've surmised, the first few days after are the hardest and then it just keeps getting better.

Jerry

 

[geebee]

Before my second and third surgeries, I stopped coumadin 2 days before admission, went into the hospital where IV heparin was started immediately. My coumadin was restarted right after surgery and I was on the heparin until my INR was above 2.5 and was not released until then. I believe such a routine (or some variation) is pretty normal.

 

[John & Joann]

Joann went off coumadin 2 days before the repeat surgery. Her PT was 2.0 at the surgery.

She is VERY allergic to Heperain. They gave her refludin 1 day after surgery. She did have about 20 TIA's. Very concerned, but it all came out great.

 

[roxdrop]

coagulation/anti-coagulation

coagulation/anti-coagulation

I had so many conflicting opinions about both blood thinners and oral contraceptives (clot potential) but the final word from the cardiologist was to get off the OC and stay off until my post-op INR was therapeutic, but it was OK to take aspirin, etc. prior to surgery. Although I was not taking any heavy blood thinners prior to surgery, he did indicate that patients on Rx anti-coagulants could go ahead with surgery with only minor (if any) disruptions. Your doc should have the final word on this, though.