Donating blood after AVR??????

[ruthienc1]

Does anyone know if you can donate blood after having an AVR? I had been a long-time giver of blood until my cardio said "no more" a few years prior to my surgery. I just saw a notice on tv for a blood drive and am wondering if that ban applies to me now. Guess I'll ask when I see him next. Have any of you out there donated post-op?

 

[ChuckVSP]

I tried to donate at a Blood Drive several years ago (around 1996, I believe), and coumadin was an issue. Don't know if it was an issue for me, or for the prospective user of the blood. I have not attempted to donate since, due to other health considerations, one of which is now being anemic. Hope this helps!

 

[ruthienc1]

I forgot to mention that I have a tissue valve- but at the moment am on one regular aspirin and a Plavix.....wonder if that would make a difference. It's something I always liked doing.....must be the vampire in me!

 

[CRM-Mom]

Hello - I just went along with my daughter when she gave blood recently and I asked the technician if I could give blood after OHS. The american red cross technician told me that if I was on coumadin I could not give blood. I know that much is true regarding your question. I guess you can ask your doctor about it.

Barb

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I'm not sure exactly how they interpret heart valve replacement, but here's what the Red Cross says that may apply:

Heart Disease
In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities.
Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.
Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.
If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute with no more than a small number of irregular beats, and you meet the other heart disease criteria. You should discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation.

Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months, and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities.

Plavix - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.

Organ/Tissue Transplants
Wait 12 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Does anyone know if you can donate blood after having an AVR? I had been a long-time giver of blood until my cardio said "no more" a few years prior to my surgery. I just saw a notice on tv for a blood drive and am wondering if that ban applies to me now. Guess I'll ask when I see him next. Have any of you out there donated post-op?

Since your AVR was only THREE MONTHS ago I would NOT Donate Blood at this time. Before considering donating in the future, you should discuss this with your Cardiologist. Be sure to ask about the potential for Heart Arrhythmia's due to low blood volume. Personally as a valve patient, I would not donate.

 

[JimL]

But don't hesitate to go to a blood drive and ask one of the nurses all these questions. I don't mean to say that you should bypass your cardiologist, but rather that the nurses at the Red Cross blood drives are top notch, friendly, and ready to help.
Since they won't let me donate any more because of the coumadin, I started volunteering for the drives; all of the nurses I've worked with are wonderful, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask them any blood-related question.

 

[MikeHeim]

I just donated blood with the Red Cross on Monday, and Coumadin is on the list of deferral drugs. Interestingly, so is Plavix. Your profile doesn't mention what type of valve you have, so I don't know if either applies to you.

BTW, I assume the issue with Coumadin is on the doner end as there is anticoagulant in the bag that the donation goes into. (Of course, if there wasn't, your donation would basically be a big scab in a few hours.) The reason is probably that the Red Cross doesn't want to assume the risk of not being able to get someone to stop bleeding in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I just donated blood with the Red Cross on Monday, and Coumadin is on the list of deferral drugs. Interestingly, so is Plavix. Your profile doesn't mention what type of valve you have, so I don't know if either applies to you.

BTW, I assume the issue with Coumadin is on the doner end as there is anticoagulant in the bag that the donation goes into. (Of course, if there wasn't, your donation would basically be a big scab in a few hours.) The reason is probably that the Red Cross doesn't want to assume the risk of not being able to get someone to stop bleeding in a reasonable amount of time.

In her *second* post in this thread (post #3) she states:

(Quote) I forgot to mention that I have a tissue valve- but at the moment am on one regular aspirin and a Plavix.....wonder if that would make a difference. It's something I always liked doing.....must be the vampire in me!
__________________
Ruthie

(End Quote)

 

[MikeHeim]

In her *second* post in this thread (post #3) she states:

(Quote) I forgot to mention that I have a tissue valve- but at the moment am on one regular aspirin and a Plavix.....wonder if that would make a difference. It's something I always liked doing.....must be the vampire in me!
__________________
Ruthie

(End Quote)

My bad - I have no idea how I missed that one. You cannot donate if you have taken Plavix in the last 7 days. They ask about aspirin, but let me donate as I only take one 81mg tablet per day. Don't know if you would be deferred with a full dose. Both aspirin and Plavix are anti-platelet drugs, so I wouldn't be surprised if taking full aspirin would put you on the deferral list as well.

 

[ruthienc1]

Thanks for all your advice- I'll check with folks, but am guessing I'll get to be a volunteer!

 

[tobagotwo]

I've given blood several times since my tissue valve was installed. It's not a problem with the Red Cross. I went to great lengths to ensure that they were all right with it and that the blood would be usable and used.

I would agree that three months out is probably too soon. Give yourself a year to fully adjust to your new self. There's plenty of time to give. Glad you donate - and so should everyone else be.

I've long believed that everyone who is healthy and capable should be required by law to give blood at least once every five years. We'd never run short.

Best wishes,

 

[ruthienc1]

Thanks for the encouragement, Bob! You put a smile on my face. Next May, here I come!