HomeAnswersHematologyleg discomfortFather is suffering from pulmonary hypertension and varicose veins. Is anticoagulant a must?

Is it safe to stop anticoagulants in a patient with pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Nithila. A

Published At July 15, 2019
Reviewed AtJanuary 25, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My father is a 71-year-old male suffering from pulmonary hypertension and diabetic and varicose vein problem on both legs. I have attached the previous reports summary. Following medications are taken daily.

1. Tadalafil 1---0--0

2. Dytor 10 mg 1--0---0

3. Dytor plus 20 mg 0---1--0

4. Acetrom 2 mg and 3 mg on alternate days 1--0--0

5. Lanoxin 0.25mg 1/2--0---0

6. Becadexamin and Shelcal syrup once daily.

7. Sea cod liver capsule alternate days.

He has severe pain in the feet while walking for some time. He skips taking Dytor and Dytor plus due to frequent urination. What is causing giant platelets in his blood and feet pain? When the leg feels cold, he starts getting pain. His leg has discolored to dark brown and swollen near joints of the feet due to varicose vein problem.Previously he used to snore a lot, and nowadays snoring had been reduced. Latest PT INR report states 18.3 seconds, can you suggest any medication for lowering pain in feet and to reduce swollen feet. Is there any medicine which can reduce blood clots in his blood more efficiently. Can pulmonary hypertension and atrial fibrillation on anticoagulants be stopped altogether? Is there any specific blood test to identify the cause of giant platelets?

Hello,

Welcome to the icliniq.com.

Sorry for your father suffering from atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension. I have read your concern and below is the answer to your question.

The leg swelling could be due to irregular use of a diuretic pill that is Dytor. So I suggest not to stop this water pill on your own and take it regularly. It will help in reducing leg swelling. The leg pain and aggravating factor for leg swelling is varicose vein. For varicose vein, sclerotherapy, or laser therapy like good options available. The medication will not help in treating the varicose vein.

The prothrombin time elevation is due to oral anticoagulation intake. I suggest using Rivaroxaban or Apixaban or Dabigatran like an oral anticoagulant drug that does not need prothrombin time monitoring and less chance of bleeding. So in place of Acitrom (Acenocoumarol), this medication will be better to use. The giant platelet is seen due to platelet destruction. However, all other CBC (complete blood count) parameter is within range. So monitoring of platelet count should be done a few days interval. No specialized testing is needed for giant platelet just now. Some form of infection might be responsible for low platelet count. Platelet function analysis can be done additionally for further workup.

For pulmonary hypertension, you can continue with Tadalafil. For atrial fibrillation Metoprolol like cardio-selective medication useful in place of Digoxin. You need to follow cardiologist advise for your case and do not stop prescribed medication without doctor advise. You need to continue mentioned medication in my answer. I suggest you consult cardiologist or hematologist nearby for detailed evaluation and discuss all these for your father. I hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Any specific food restriction to increase the platelet count? Since he has diabetes and on Diamicron medication for the same, I want to know is diabetes responsible for low platelet count or giant platelet in blood. Since he is working, he cannot go for often urination so that he will stop Dytor or Dytor plus once in a while. Is there any other tablet which can reduce frequent urination to some level. He says he cannot have Dytor in the night as it will disturb his sleep whole night. So I want to know, is there any other tablet which can help him go for working and also reduce varicose vein swelling?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The papaya fruit or the extract syrup can increase the platelet count. No other food restriction is needed. Diabetes is not related to low platelet count or giant platelet. Every diuretic pill can cause water excretion from the body and diuresis. So no alternative available. At night time diuretic is not prescribed, so your father is right in not taking it at night. However, you can discuss stopping drug with your doctor if suitable in your case after the examination.

For varicose vein, the vascular surgeon needs to consult for sclerotherapy or other suitable procedure. I hope I have answered your question.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Pathology

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