What if I take Coumadin, Plavix, or other blood thinners?

We generally recommend that you stop these before the procedure. For example, if you take Coumadin, you need to have the OK of your family doctor or cardiologist to come off this drug and an INR (blood clotting tests) that is in the normal range before pursuing this procedure. If you take other blood thinner such as Plavix, you should be off this drug for 72 hours prior to the procedure. Your family doctor or cardiologist may also need to be consulted to ensure that it’s safe to come off of this medication. If you take a daily baby aspirin, then you need to come off this one week before the procedure.