DOCTOR'S VIEWS ARCHIVE

Topic: Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Dr. Lee:
Should older individuals who receive a tissue valve take aspirin?

In those older individuals who received a tissue valve, such as a pig valve, to replace a diseased aortic valve, even though they do not take blood thinner like coumadin or warfarin, do you put these people on some type of aspirin to thin their blood anyhow?

Dr. Michael Miyamoto:

There is no convincing data on whether that is necessary or beneficial in a bio-prosthetic valve in preventing the thrombis or blood clot. It is known that aspirin in this patient population, in general, does have other benefits in terms of preventing coronary events and blood clots in the heart arteries, causing chest pain or heart attacks. So it generally is a good idea once a patient has not had a problems with bleeding or stomach ulcers associated with aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. But specifically for the valves it is thought that aspirin is not even necessary.

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Last Editorial Review: 6/21/2000 6:38:00 AM