how long does it take to dissolve pulmonary embolism?

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3 July 2011

Question by rogelito22: how long does it take to dissolve pulmonary embolism?
I’ve been on coumadin for 3 months now after suffering atrial fibulation followed by instalation of a pacemaker. How long does it take for the clots to dissolve. I try to exercise daily for an hour. I’ve cut salt and cholestrol to a minimum. Still have “sitting leg pain” and still feel light headed and hard to breathe at times(not when exercising though).Sometimes I feel like the heart is out of rhythm. Will I ever get off coumadin?

Best answer:

Answer by john e russo md facm faafp
Warfarin sodium may prevent but does not dissolve an embolism. In theory if you had a pulmonary embolism that would have been dissolved by a thrombolytic medication before you left the hospital. You will remain on warfarin for as long as you have atrial fibrillation although there is a newer drug which has become available which does not require blood monitoring. [Dabigatran brand name Pradexa]. By definition atrial fibrillation means that your heart is out of rhythm. JR

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  1. Reply
    troponin2012 July 3, 2011 at 6:44 am

    Without knowing your past medical history and not having a medical chart to read, i’ll give you the best internet explanation. THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A PHYSICIAN:

    In a patients with atrial fibrillation, a CHADS score is done to determine the appropriate pharmacological treatment for the patient. It is a simple calculation:
    1 point if you have Congestive Heart Failure
    1 point if you have Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    1 point if you are 75+ years of Age
    1 point if you have diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
    2 points if you have ever had a stroke

    You add your total points and if:
    - You have 0 points you will be on aspirin indefinately
    - You have 1-2 points, you will be on either aspirin or warfarin indefinately, depending on what your physician deems is best in your situation
    - You have 2+ points, you will be on warfarin indefinately

    If you did not have atrial fibrillation, you would have been on wafarin for a minimum of three months, at the discretion of your doctor. Warfarin is given to prevent new clots from adding to the one you currently have while your body works to eliminate that clot.

    DO NOT STOP TAKING WARFARIN! In atrial fibrillation, your blood sits slightly longer than it should in your heart. As a result, clots can form in the heart and potentially travel to your brain resulting in a cerebrovascular event, otherwise known as a stroke. Taking your warfarin will prevent this from happening!

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