Blood Thinners

Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, are used to prevent stroke in patients who have atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat that can cause heart failure and strokes) and to treat blood clots. At The Vein Institute, many of our patients are on blood thinners because of past or current history with blood clots including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and superficial thrombophlebitis, an inflammatory response caused by a blood clot beneath the skin.

Please tell your doctor if you are on blood thinners for any reason before beginning treatment for a venous disorder. While it is possible for vein specialists to treat patients who are currently taking blood thinners, your doctor may choose to discontinue them temporarily depending on your clinical situation. Your doctor will work with your primary care physician and/or cardiologist closely in order to choose the safest treatment plan for your specific condition.

Even if you are not currently on anti-coagulants for any condition, your vein specialist may prescribe a short course of blood thinners following a procedure if you are at risk of developing a blood clot. Although it is rare to develop a blood clot following a procedure using today’s modern treatment techniques, it can happen.  At The Vein Institute, we take a patient’s total health into consideration in order to minimize the risk of complications.