Coumadin withdrawal using lovenal

[jtcon1]

I had a mitral valve replacement (St. Jude type) 6 yrs ago and have been on coumadin ever since.  I need a colonoscopy and my Dr suggested stopping coumadin and using lovenal at home in order to reduce hospital time required to get my blood ready for the procedure and later to get it back to theraputic level.
Are there any studies regarding the use of lovenal for valve replacement patients?

[emma]

Hi - I would recommend you go to valvereplacement.com and click on hear talk or heartalk or whatever. It's a really great forum, with most participants having experienced valve replacements/coumadin/and all matter of related stuff. Sometimes a doctor logs on, but mostly it's just people who've "been there/done that."  Ask anything, and probably at least five people will jump to respond. Good luck!

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

This can be done but I don't believe it is FDA approved.  There is not a lot of pulished data but here is one paper on this approach for oral surgery.  I would discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor and then make a decision.


1. Webster K, Wilde J. Management of anticoagulation in patients with prosthetic heart valves undergoing oral and maxillofacial operations. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2000;38(2):124-6.