Guidelines for Antithrombotic Therapy in Valvular Heart Disease

[Arlyss]

Following is a link to very detailed information about valves and antithrombtic therapy.

http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/126/3_suppl/457S

My husband was on coumadin with his mechanical valve for over 15 years. At one point after his stroke, he was on coumadin, plavix, and low-dose aspirin simultaneously because it was important that he not have any more injury due to debris reaching his brain until the mechanical came out.

Today with a tissue valve, he is on low-dose aspirin only.

Best wishes,
Arlyss

 

[Arlyss]

Plavix Aspirin Combination with Prosthetic Valves

Plavix Aspirin Combination with Prosthetic Valves

This paper is about Plavix (clopidogrel) and aspirin therapy with St. Jude valves.

http://www.ctsnet.org/sections/innovation/valvetechnology/articles/article-.html

As I mentioned previously, my husband was on coumadin for over 15 years. After his stroke, every effort was made to prevent any more particles from reaching his brain until his valve was replaced - so he was on Plavix and aspirin also.

There was no blood test to determine the effective level of Plavix in his blood (no INR like coumadin). There is also no way to quickly reverse Plavix that I am aware of. I also noticed bruising of his ankles, which went away when Plavix was discontinued. Plavix may also have contributed to his fatigue at that time.

Best wishes,
Arlyss