Want to eliminate coumadin, artery now clear

[zebrafish]

HI all,

Ok my b/f has now had a duplex ultrasound of his carotid arteries,
and they are completely 100% clear. He also had an ultrasound scan of his heart and it is fine.

He had a stroke in June 2012 because he had a 100% blockage
in a carotid artery. He's been on Coumadin (warfarin) since then.

Would it not be reasonable to ask the doctor to take him
off the Coumadin? Do most doctors try to get patients
to stay on it even though there is no longer any blockage?
What is the standard procedure for after the blockage is
gone?

Thanks!

[zebrafish]

PS: he's going to stay on the supplements he's been taking
to get him to this point. He won't be giving that up.

[zebrafish]

There was no grafting, no surgical procedure of any kind.
IMO, it was done with supplements. We also made dietary
changes, but I don't believe that by itself would unblock a
100% clogged artery.

Since his arteries are now clear, having normal levels of
blood clotting are now not such a big problem though, right?

His cholesterol is great - towards the very low end of all ranges.
His homocysteine levels are within range.
His BP is now under control due to BP meds, and have
been stable for over a year now.

Of course we already are discussing it with his doctor, but I want
to go in to the office somewhat informed.

When the doc told us he still has to stay on the warfarin,
I said "he does"? and the doc said he will consider putting him
on something lighter like aspirin, on the next visit.

If he has to stay on the blood thinning meds, he does, but we
want to reduce the meds to the lowest effective doses, and eliminate
that which he does not really need.

Thanks for your input.  

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, how was the blockage in the carotid arteries cleared? Was a grafting done? If he underwent a surgical procedure he will need to be on blood thinners to prevent further emboli from blocking vessels. Abruptly discontinuing warfarin may induce a rebound prothrombotic state. So, his doctor will be very cautious when he plans to discontinue warfarin. And this depends on his clinical condition. Please discuss with his treating doctor. Regards.