Pacemaker affects on INR?

In 8/12, I had a pacemaker implanted due to bradycardia . For the last 16 years, I have been taking coumadin due to an artificial aortic valve. My coumadin level for many years was stable with 41 mg. per week. Since pacemaker surgery, my INR has skyrocketed to over 4.0 despite dropping coumadin to 35 mg. per week. Is there any connection? Is this usual? Am I in unknown territory? I can't seem to find anything on the internet.

3 Comments

PM & INR

by donr - 2012-09-28 02:09:09

I've had a PM since Feb 03; been on Coumadin since Sept 02.

INR was stable as a table till Dec 11. Shot up to over 7 w/o any change in diet or amt of Coumadin taken. Since then,my INR has been unstable, varying all over the 2-3 range & requiring that I have more frequent blood tests & modifying my Coumadin dosage more frequently.

I looked at your profile & we are about the same age.

I have seen no effect on my INR by anything connected w/ my PM. Like the electrical problems of the heart, INRchanges just happen - frequently w/o any rational reason or connection to any events.
Don

Just A Thought

by Many Blessings - 2012-09-28 10:09:21

I've been having trouble keeping my INR under control since I got my PM (CRT-P) 5 1/2 months ago. It is running low to high without warning (as low as 2.0, as high as 12.0) and has not been within my therapeutic range since my PM.

I've been on Coumadin or Warfarin for 25 years, so it's not a new drug to me (mechanical heart valve, chronic a-fib, stroke history, TIAs). I have had INR issues like this in the past, but never this constant or for this long.

The one thing I did notice, is right before I got my PM, they changed the manufacturer on my Warfarin. I could tell because the pill shape, size, and color is different. My daily dosage did not change.

I assume this is why my INR is constantly unstable now, and not from the PM. Did the manufacturer on your Coumadin change by chance? It's just a thought. I'm not saying it's not your PM, because I just don't know, but I wanted to give you an idea on what else it could be, just in case.

And, Don is right too. Anything you eat, drink, put on your body, take as a supplement or as a pain reliever, etc., can make a huge difference in your INR. Hopefully, you can figure it out soon.

Best of luck!



Just wondered

by ElectricFrank - 2012-09-29 12:09:27

Is it possible that the drugs used to coat some leads could be affecting the INR?

frank

You know you're wired when...

You need to be re-booted each morning.

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