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A member asked:
The patient i'm caring for has rapid atrial fibrillation and dyspnea-- why is she being prescribed heparin?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Stroke protection: Atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of stroke. The Heparin could be used for one of two reasons: either to provide anticoagulation while warfarin/coumadin is being started, or to treat the patient temporarily while a decision is made whether to use long-term medication.
Answered 6/25/2014
5.5k views
Afib and Heparin: Afib is a dis-coordinated, chaotic heart rhythm where the heart can not effectively move blood the way it should. When blood sits stagnant it can clot. The Heparin helps prevent the stagnant blood from clotting to avoid a clot , or "thrombus", being sent to the brain or lungs where it may cause a stroke or pe.
Answered 2/25/2017
5.5k views
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