I take an anticoagulant (blood thinner). What should I do prior to my Greenlight PVP procedure?
Aspirin should be discontinued 10 days prior. Coumadin and Plavix are discontinued at least 3 days prior to the procedure. These are resumed as soon as possible depending on individual circumstances. If you cannot discontinue anticoagulant therapy due to significant medical conditions, low dose heparin or Lovenox can be used preoperatively. You can be preadmitted for preoperative IV heparin therapy which is discontinued 6 hours prior to the procedure. Heparin is then restarted 6-8 hours post-procedure and transitioned to Coumadin/Plavix within 1 to 2 days.
