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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Going off Coumadin for a colonoscopy (post was cut off)
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Going off Coumadin for a colonoscopy (post was cut off)
by Philip1815, Sep 14, 1999 12:00AM
Sorry to trouble you again, but your answer was cut off.
I have a titanium aorta valve and am on coumadin; other meds are dilantin, lipitor and cardura. Colon cancer has struck another member of my family and I want to have a colonoscopy but my Dr. tells me I must be off coumadin for 5 days prior to. I'm scared of having a stroke yet cannot sit-by and gamble that colon cancer will not hit me. My age is 61 and my valve was inserted in 1991. Recommendation please?
Thanks
Jim
I have a titanium aorta valve and am on coumadin; other meds are dilantin, lipitor and cardura. Colon cancer has struck another member of my family and I want to have a colonoscopy but my Dr. tells me I must be off coumadin for 5 days prior to. I'm scared of having a stroke yet cannot sit-by and gamble that colon cancer will not hit me. My age is 61 and my valve was inserted in 1991. Recommendation please?
Thanks
Jim
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Sep 15, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Jim,
The best way to handle this is to be admitted to the hospital for 2-3 days to receive heparin as your INR normalizes. After your colonoscopy your coumadin can be resumed while still on the heparin so that there is always adequate anticoagulation.
The best way to handle this is to be admitted to the hospital for 2-3 days to receive heparin as your INR normalizes. After your colonoscopy your coumadin can be resumed while still on the heparin so that there is always adequate anticoagulation.
