Surgery on Jan 19th –A couple of questions

[Liang]

I am a new member here. I have been browsing this forum for a while and would like to have your input.

I was diagnosed with aortic root aneurysm and moderately leaky valve last April. My surgery recommended a mechanical valve attached to a Dacron graft conduit. He wants me to keep INR between 2.0 to 2.5 with warfarin therapy. But my cardiologist suggests 2.5 to 3.0 INR. I would like to know your target INR with anticoagulation therapy.

My surgeon requested MRI scan to make sure there is no brain aneurysm before the surgery. But I need authorization to have a scan and haven’t got approval from my insurance. Did your guys have brain scan before surgery and how did you deal with the insurance company?

Thanks.

 

[Mentu]

Hi, Liang, welcome to VR. I have a tissue valve so I cannot answer your question about INR but there will be many others who can do so. With respect to your question about the MRI, no, I did not have one and my surgeon never requested one. Prior to surgery, the diagnostic test performed were an echo-cardiogram, an echo of the carotid arteries, an exercise stress test and a heart catheterizaion. I did not have to speak with the insurance company myself but there are other members who did so.

Larry

 

[Liang]

Thanks, Larry. I’ve had an ultrasound test of carotid arteries and catheterization. My surgeon requests brain scan for his patients with aneurysm as he published a paper relating to concurrence of aortic and intracranial aneurysms. His office sent the paper for approval of brain scan and got no answer yet from the insurance company.

 

[bigsidster]

Liang I had a mechanical aortic valve and double bypass and my INR target is 2.o to 3.0 from my doctor.With a mechanical valve you see 2.5 to 3.5 as target INR.I listen to my doc but try to keep it on the high side around 2.6 to 2.8.

 

[Greg a]

I am a new member here. I have been browsing this forum for a while and would like to have your input.

I was diagnosed with aortic root aneurysm and moderately leaky valve last April. My surgery recommended a mechanical valve attached to a Dacron graft conduit. He wants me to keep INR between 2.0 to 2.5 with warfarin therapy. But my cardiologist suggests 2.5 to 3.0 INR. I would like to know your target INR with anticoagulation therapy.

My surgeon requested MRI scan to make sure there is no brain aneurysm before the surgery. But I need authorization to have a scan and haven’t got approval from my insurance. Did your guys have brain scan before surgery and how did you deal with the insurance company?

Thanks.

Liang, I have added your surgery to our VR public Calendar and I would add a heart felt WELCOME to our OHS family glad you are getting the information that you are seeking and there is a wealth of knowledge here for the future .....


Bob/tobagotwo has up dated a list of acronyms and short forms http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8494&d=1276042314

what to ask pre surgery http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...68-Pre-surgery-consultation-list-of-questions

what to take with you to the hospital http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?13283-what-to-take-to-the-hospital-a-checklist

Preparing the house for post surgical patients http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...Getting-Comfortable-Around-the-House&p=218802

These are from various forum stickies and there is plenty more to read as well


And Lynw recently added this PDF on what to expect post op
http://www.sts.org/documents/pdf/whattoexpect.pdf