warfarin pre-op

[LEN]

Hi
I have been on warfarin since jan 7,blood clot lung.What do they do before
before replacement surgery with warfarin.

 

[geebee]

Normally they take you off warfarin and start IV heparin (or Lovenox shots if you are not yet hospitalized) a few days before surgery. The heparin is stopped shortly before surgery, started back up after surgery along with restarting warfarin. The heparin is continued until the INR is back in range.