Blood Thinners. What, When, Why, How. Mary Wilkie, MS, RN, CCNS Clinical Nurse Specialist Rush University Medical Center

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(1)Blood Thinners What, When, Why, How. Mary Wilkie, MS, RN, CCNS Clinical Nurse Specialist Rush University Medical Center.

(2) Objectives Discuss specific defects and/or disease processes in ACHD that require blood thinners. Review the most common blood thinners that are available today.

(3) What Are Blood Thinners?. Medications that help prevent clots from forming in the blood.

(4) Most Common Types of Blood Thinners Anticoagulants Increase the time it takes for blood to form a clot. Antiplatelets Prevent platelets from sticking together and forming a clot. • Heparin. • Aspirin. • Dalteparin (Fragmin). • Clopidogrel (Plavix). • Enoxaparin (Lovenox) • Warfarin (Coumadin or Jantoven) • Dabigatran (Pradaxa) • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) • Apixaban (Eliquis).

(5) Terms to Know • Thrombus - clot • Thrombosus - formation of blood. clots • Thromboembolism - a clot. (thrombus) that breaks loose and is carried by the bloodstream resulting in an obstruction of another vessel including the lungs, brain, kidneys, GI tract, leg.

(6) Clotting. Bleeding.

(7) Blood Thinners in Adult Congenital Heart Disease • Mechanical/bioprosthetic valve • Atrial arrhythmias • Fontan Circuit • Transcatheter closure devices,. stents, valves • Cardiomyopathy/myocarditis • Pulmonary Hypertension.

(8) Anticoagulation in the Fontan Circuit • Early and late risk for thromboembolic •. • • • • • •. event Increased risk factors: type of Fontan, enlarged atria, arrhythmias, decreased heart function, fenestration, PLE, liver congestion Evaluate individual risk factors Aspirin vs. Warfarin vs. combination INR goal 2-3 (varies by center) Single ventricle patients may be predisposed to both bleeding and clotting Risk factors may change over time! Important to do regular follow-up with echocardiogram.

(9) Prosthetic Valves Goal – Mimic one’s own native valve. Bioprosthetic. Mechanical • • • •. Titanium, Teflon Very durable Require surgery Require life long anticoagulation. • Pigs heart valve or cows heart. tissue • Not as durable (most durable on the r side) • Transcatheter bioprosthetic valves available • Do not require lifelong anticoagulation Clotting Risk. Higher in Mitral than Aortic valve position Risk increases with presence of atrial fibrillation, LV dysfunction, left atrial dilation, previous thromboembolism, other conditions that cause blood to clot.

(10) Anticoagulation for Prosthetic Heart Valves 2013 Prevention and Treatment of Thrombosis In Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. 2014 AHA/ACC Guidelines For The Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease.

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(12) Right Heart Valve Replacement • Bioprosthetic Pulmonary Valve - reasonable. to forgo anticoagulation. Consider individual clotting risks • Bioprosthetic Tricuspid Valve - 3-6 months of Warfarin with INR goal of 2-3 + lifelong low dose Aspirin. Again, consider individual risks • Right sided mechanical valves − Lack of data − Warfarin Goal 2.5-3.5 +/- Aspirin Prevention and Treatment of Thrombosis In Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013:128:2622-2703..

(13) Anticoagulation Use for Atrial Arrhythmias • Many ACH patients at risk for A-fib or A-flutter • Fontan, TGA s/p Mustard or Senne procedure, s/p TOF, • • • •. •. unrepaired ASD Important to evaluate individual’s risk for clots Low risk patients - Aspirin High risk – strongly consider Warfarin INR target range 2-3, except with a mechanical valve or recurrent thrombosis; then 2.5-3.5 plus low dose ASA may be added May consider new anticoagulation agents in non-valvular afib.

(14) Thrombus Prevention Following Interventional Procedures • Limited studies, mostly based on medical. consensus • ASD, VSD, PFO closure device, stents, percutaneous valves - Aspirin plus Clopidogrel (Plavix) for the first 6 months • Consider Warfarin in patients with atrial arrhythmias (Afib), blood clotting disorder or previous stroke • Nonsurgical Ablation procedure – low dose Aspirin for 4-6 weeks following procedure.

(15) Use of Blood Thinners in Dilated Cardiomyopathy • At risk for thrombus formation secondary to low cardiac. • • •. • •. output, decreased cardiac function, regional wall motion abnormalities, arrhythmias Limited recommendations as it relates to ACHD Ongoing therapy reasonable for those with arrhythmias, hx thrombosus/thromboembolism, SF ≤ 10% or EF < 25% Adult review suggests benefit in those with SF < 20%, LV dysfunction, hx of previous stroke, previous thrombus, arrhythmias Warfarin with/without Aspirin INR range 2-3.

(16) Anticoagulation in CHD Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension. • The use of anticoagulation may be reasonable. in children and adults with pulmonary vascular obstruction disease associated with CHD • Clinical judgment • Requires further investigation.

(17) Special Circumstances to Consider • Immobilization while traveling • Obesity • Oral contraceptives • Pregnancy • Other medical conditions e.g., Protein S or C. abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities.

(18) Warfarin. • Brand name Coumadin • Decreases the body’s ability to form clots. by blocking Vitamin K dependent clotting factors.

(19) Warfarin Color Coded Tablets. Convenient for titrating dose. Possible safety risk.

(20) Warfarin Challenges. • Slow onset and offset of action • Effect can be different person to person • Narrow therapeutic index • Many food and drug interactions.

(21) Contraindications to Warfarin Use • Bleeding • Pregnancy • Allergy or intolerance to Warfarin • Uncontrolled HTN* • Liver disease* • Recent surgery and procedures involving the. nervous system, spine, eye* *Use with extreme caution.

(22) Complications of Warfarin • Bleeding • Warfarin Embryopathy 5-30% • Osteoporosis 0.1 % • Warfarin necrosis 0.02% • Purple toe syndrome 0.01%.

(23) Signs of Bleeding • Excessive bleeding of the gums or nose • New /Significant Headaches • Abdominal pain or cramping • Vomiting blood or something that looks like coffee • • • • •. grounds Pink or brown colored urine Red or tarry black stool Heavier than usual menstrual flow Excessive bruising or bruises that get larger Cuts that won't stop bleeding after applying continuous pressure.

(24) Drug Interactions Increase Effect • • • • • • •. Antiarrhythmics Antibiotics Anticonvulsants Antidepressants Antifungals Antihyperlipidemics Anticoagulants. Decrease Effect • Antibiotics - Rifampin • Antidepressants - SSRI, SNRI • Antiepileptics - Phynetoin (Dilantin) - Phenobarbital - Carbamazepine (Tegretol). Always Notify Your Health Care Provider Before Starting or Stopping Medication.

(25) Warfarin is Affected by Foods that Contain Vitamin K • Green, leafy vegetables including spinach, kale, • • • • •. lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts Avocado Soybean and Canola oil Mayonnaise and salad dressings Green tea Liver and organ meats. Alcoholic beverages, cranberry and grapefruit juices all serve to increase the effect of. Warfarin.

(26) Keep Your Diet Consistent!!.

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(29) Activity While on Warfarin • Keep exercise level regular • Avoid contact sports and activities that. could result in a serious blow to head, chest or abdomen and/or serious cuts or bleeding • Wear a helmet when riding moving objects • Caution with sharp objects.

(30) Considerations When Taking Warfarin • Take medication at the some time each day • Never take a pill to “catch-up” if you miss a dose • Be aware of drug interactions including prescription. meds, OTC meds, vitamins, herbal supplements, nutritional supplements • Inform all healthcare providers that you have been prescribed Warfarin (includes dentist, chiropractor, alternative medicine doctor), especially when planning any procedure or surgery.

(31) Considerations When Taking Warfarin (con’t.). • Try to avoid medications that can cause bleeding: • • • • •. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naproxen Read all med labels to be certain that they do not contain Aspirin Tylenol is usually OK , but check with MD first Make your doctor aware of any missed doses Generic vs. name brand Wear medical alert bracelet/tag. www.coumadin.com.

(32) Renal Impairment in Warfarin • Dose adjustments are generally not. necessary • Patients with renal impairment may have platelet defects causing increased risk of bleeding. Use Caution!.

(33) Warfarin In Pregnancy/Breastfeeding • Crosses the Placenta • Animals and Human studies have demonstrated. positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. • Must carefully weigh risk/benefit • American Academy of Pediatrics considers Warfarin as ‘compatible’ with the practice of breast-feeding.

(34) INR Testing Guidelines • INR (international normalized ratio) • The INR is a standardized way to report the PT. value which is the time in seconds that is needed for blood to clot • The normal INR of a healthy person is 1 • The higher the INR, the more risk you have of bleeding • If INR is lower than the desired target, the more risk you have of clotting..

(35) INR Testing Guidelines (con’t.). • Ideal target INR will vary depending on the. medical condition and individual risk factors • Most common INR range is 2-4 • Common factors affecting INR -. Drugs Diet Exercise Alcohol use Illness.

(36) INR Testing • Laboratory testing - Venous blood draw - Accurate - Requires trip to clinic, hospital • Point of Care(POC) Devices - Finger stick - Easy, accurate, convenient - Becoming more accepted by insurance companies. www.alere.com. www.poc.roche.com.

(37) Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) • Anticoagulant that inhibits the body’s natural clotting • • • • • • • •. factors Enoxaparin (Lovenox), Dalteparin (Fragmin) Inject SQ (under the skin) One or two time a day dosing No need for lab monitoring in most patients. May monitor anti X-a level. Good for long term and home use, safe during pregnancy, presumed safe with breastfeeding Often used as bridging medication Black box warning for spinal/epidermal hematomas Caution in renal and liver disease.

(38) Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) (con’t.). • Potential side effects: bleeding, nausea/vomiting • Contraindications: active bleeding, low platelet. count, hypersensitivity to heparin, pork, or benzyl alcohol • Limited studies in use with mechanical valves • Pregnant women may need closer monitoring and dose adjustment • Timing of anti X-a - usually drawn 4 hours after administration of dose.

(39) Aspirin • Antiplatelet • Fewer bleeding complications that with Warfarin but may • • • • • •. not prevent clotting in certain conditions 81 mg vs. 325 mg daily Doesn’t require regular blood testing May need to be held 5-7 days before surgery or invasive procedure Common side effects: bleeding, heartburn, nausea, ulcer Caution in patients with history of GI bleed, renal or liver disease Use during pregnancy and during breastfeeding requires close monitoring.

(40) Clopidogrel (Plavix) • Antiplatelet - affects platelet function and bleeding. • • • • •. time for up to 7-10 days (recommend discontinuing 5 days prior to surgery) Usual dose 75 mg once a day Does not require regular blood testing Side effects: bleeding, TTP, rash, diarrhea Drug interactions: avoid concomitant use of PPI ( ex: Prilosec, Nexium), caution with SSRI, SNRI drugs Grapefruit /Plavix interaction?.

(41) Plavix • Information on safety in pregnancy and. breastfeeding has not been fully established • Class B Pregnancy - animal data negative, no controlled human data • Animal data did show excretion of drug into breast milk. No controlled human studies.

(42) Advantages of New Anticoagulants • Rapid onset of action • No need for bridging • More predictable effect • No need for routine coagulation monitoring • Low potential for food/drug interactions • No dietary restrictions.

(43) Dabigatran (Pradaxa) • Use: Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation • No frequent blood testing needed • Available in 75 mg and 150 mg capsules • No antidote • Side effects: Bleeding, GI upset, ? increase risk for. heart attack • Less drug interactions - Caution with Rifampin, St. John’s Wort, Tegretol, Phenytoin, Varapamil, Amiodarone, Zitromax, other drugs that cause bleeding • No food-drug interactions.

(44) Dabigatran (Pradaxa) (con’t.) • Contraindications. Active bleeding - Renal impairment - Liver disease - Prosthetic heart valves - Valvular heart disease - Immunosupressants, Ketoconazole Unstable if not stored in original bottle or blister pack - NO pill boxes Must be used within 60 days while being stored in original bottle or blister pack Cost FDA statements -. • • • •.

(45) Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) • Indication: Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation, DVT, PE • Not for use in prosthetic heart valves or mitral stenosis • Once daily dosing - 20 mg • No antidote • Lab monitoring: Not needed. • Drug interactions. - ↑Ketoconazole, Ritonavir, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin - ↓Rifampicin • Minimal food interactions-recommend to be taken with food • No controlled studies in pregnant women.

(46) Apixaban (Eliquis) • Indication: Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation, DVT • No need for monitoring • Recommend 5 mg twice daily dosing • No established reversal/antidote • Cut dose for ↓ kidney function, age > 80; wt < 60 kg • Drug Interactions: Certain drugs may increase or decrease effect. • • • •. Ex: ↑potency with Ketoconazole, Clarithromycin, ↓potency with Rifampin, St. John’s Wort, Phenytoin Not recommended for mechanical valves No adequate studies in pregnant women Hold at least 48 hours prior to high risk surgery/procedure and at least 24 hours before low risk procedure Bridging generally not requires Always Check with Your Healthcare Provider!.

(47) Become Educated Follow Directions Carefully. Communicate.

(48) Thank You For Your Time!.

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