Anticoagulant/Cancer Question

Had an ablation for flutter in March with Natale. His protocol is to implant a Watchman when he performs an ablation three months post-procedure. Watchman implanted in June…..TEE in August to establish the Watchman is properly implanted. Second follow-up TEE planned for December.

With the Watchman, hopefully will be able to stop the Xeralto. Ater the Watchman procedure Natale prescribed a “half dose” of Xeralto. If the TEE im December indicates the Watchman is still “perfect”……may stop Xeralto (or potentially 81 mg aspirin).

In a conversation with my Nurse Navigator, she told me that Natale likes to keep patients with a history of cancer on anticoagulants. and may recommend to continue the half-dose. I am a 23 year testicular cancer survivor. She planned to discuss with Natale.

Question…....what is the relationship to cancer. Was caught somewhat off-guard by the comments, and did not ask the question at that time. Prior to asking her the question, thought I would get opinions.

Thanks

Steve
Klein, Tx.

Cancer can cause clotting disorders, so it's precautionary.

Quote
Carey
Cancer can cause clotting disorders, so it's precautionary.

I happened to have had an appointment with my long-time internist this week for another issue, and posed the same question. He gave me the same answer as you. However, he is very familiar with my cancer history......testicular cancer with an orchiectomy and no chemotherapy or other treatment. It was his opinion that there was minimal risk for clotting issues.

Plan to discuss the details of my cancer history with Natale.

Thanks

Interesting, I had prostate cancer, went with MRI Guided SBRT 10 months ago, no side effects but it was 40gy.
Natale's group wanted me to followup with a CT scan with contrast after my followup 45 day TEE showed good seal and placement. My new local EP told me a followup TEE is the way they do it not a CT w contrast.
He wrote the order for CT but I'm hesistant to do more radiation, I'm also need to do a calcium score.
In light of blood clots and cancer I don't mind staying on 10mg of Xarelto then.

So can anyone shed any light on what the protocol is?


McHale

A TEE is the usual route but they must have a reason for wanting the CT. I would give the PA a call, express your concerns about radiation, and ask why they need it.

Quote
Carey
A TEE is the usual route but they must have a reason for wanting the CT. I would give the PA a call, express your concerns about radiation, and ask why they need it.

When this came up for me, I was told that TCA had a method of enhancing the CT through equipment from Boston Scientific that they had there….or something like that! So when they receive your CT they take another step to enhance it.