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Warfarin

How long before surgery should warfarin be stopped, how about plavix?
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Avatar universal
Thanks Kenneth for your comments, I am with you in your opinion, thanks again
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367994 tn?1304953593
Sometimes there is bleeding at the cite of cath penetration, and with anti-platelet medication there can be excessive bleeding....also there is a small risk of a puncture with a cath. I didn't have any problems with bleeding, etc. but after reading thousands of posts on the subject many patients experience problems.

I recently had a colonoscopy and was told to stop anti-platelet medication 6 days prior to procedure and there is a risk of excessive bleeding if there were polyps...none found....but my point is to discontinue anti-platelet medciation for a few days is not a very large risk...excessive bleeding can be much higher risk.  

Personally I would discontinue blood thinning medication prior to any intervention.  

Take care, and I wish you well going forward.

Ken
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your answer. My cardiologist mentioned stopping the warfarin and going with lovenox for 3 days prior to a catherization but said there was no need to stop taking plavix.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your answer. My cardiologist mentioned stopping the warfariin and going with lovenox for 3 days prior to a cathererization but said there was no need for plavix to be stopped.
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1685247 tn?1305569485
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Some surgeons request that a patient not be on plavix or warfarin at the time of surgery in order to minimize the risk of bleeding. Traditionally, the effects of plavix on platelets is minimal after 5 days. Usually, blood clots normally about three days after taking warfarin. This is quite variable and can be confirmed by a blood test (either checking INR or prothrombin time), prior to surgery.  
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