Is pregnancy possible while taking Nicoumalone?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a heart patient. I had two open-heart surgery for my valve replacement. I have a mechanical valve, and I need to take anticoagulants daily. At present I am on Nicoumalone 2 mg. I need to ask whether I can become pregnant after all these complications. Is it possible for me to become a mother? What are its complications? Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Nicoumalone is not safe in pregnancy. You may have to switch to low molecular weight Heparin subcutaneous injection twice daily. Anti-Xa levels must be checked after four to six hours of injection, and the target anti-Xa levels are 0.8 - 1.2 U/mL. The drug of choice for mechanical valves is Warfarin.

Suppose INR (international normalized ratio) remains in the target range of less than 5 mg of Warfarin. In that case, it can be continued throughout pregnancy. However, suppose a dose is more than 5 mg. In that case, it should be switched to low molecular weight Heparin during the first trimester and Warfarin in the second and third trimesters. In patients who want to be pregnant, a bioprosthetic valve is implanted.

I hope this helps.

Please revert so I can assist you further.

Thank you.