coumadin dosage

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD-APS on October 01, 1997 at 11:04:31:

In Reply to: coumadin  dosage posted by Ellie on September 21, 1997 at 19:32:34:

: Thank you. I would like to know the risks in taking 12.5 mg daily.
  They tell me i have a vitiamin K problem, which causes blood clotting.
  I am 53 year old female. I have had 5 seperate bypass surgery and
  three angioplasty, the stents they put in, where filled with boold clots after three months.  Two fermoral artery bypasses, with same result. The last surgery was more successful on the mesentric , auorta, fermoral and
  sp far so good.  Is there anything less damaging then coumadin.

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

Dear Ellie,
The risk of taking coumadin(any dose)is bleeding, hence the monitoring of protime on a regular basis(protime is a measure of bleeding time or how thin the blood is- in lay terms.) In prescribing coumadin one weighs the risk
of bleeding with that of forming clots in various arteries, veins, and chambers of the body which of course can lead to devastating consequenses to include stroke, heart attack, and death.  In reading your question I get
the impression that you have some form of clotting disorder related to a vitamin K disorder, this is a disorder of the hematologic system and is best evaluated by a hematologist.  I hope I have been of some help in answering
your question, if you are interested in speaking to or seeing a hematologist at the Cleveland Clinic you can call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only.  Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).