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Is Vitamin K2 Supplements Advisable When Having Re Calcification Of The Aortic Valve?

Posted on Tue, 13 Jan 2015

Question: Thank you. I am male, 66. I had my calcified aortic valve replaced (bovine) at age 62 via open heart surgery. Now only 4 years later it has recalcified. I hope to have it replaced via TAVR in the next few weeks. I have read that aortic valve calcification may be caused by the loss of the protein MGP which is dependent on the vitamin K2. I do not smoke, do not have hbp, and exercise regularly. Would you recommend vitamin K2 supplements?

Answered by Dr. Harshal Vora (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not recommended for you. I will explain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Vitamin k2 supplements can reduce vascular calcification, reduce the incidence of prostate cancer and also reduce bone fracture according to newer researches. But this is not recommended to you because of important reasons.

You will be about to undergo mechanical valve replacement in a few weeks. After mechanical valve replacement you will have to take life long anticoagulation probably warfarin which is a vitamin k inhibitor. Also after tissue valve replacement Atleast for 3 months you need warfarin.

VITAMIN K SUPPLEMENTS ARE ABSOLUTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN PATIENTS ON WARFARIN WHO HAVE MECHANICAL VALVE RELACEMENTS.

Vitamin k is also responsible for making our important Clotting factors which must have been stopped after valve replacement to prevent valve thrombosis.

So, you must not take vitamin k supplements after your surgery rather avoid them strictly after surgery. Also before surgery it will not help you much at this age..

So, kindly avoid vitamin k supplements.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Harshal Vora (1 hour later)

Thanks for your answer. However, I am to receive another bovine valve - unless that changes after my consult this coming Monday. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Harshal Vora (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need for extra vitamin supplements

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome again.
Actually once tissue valve has been implanted its usually mechanical valve to be used in second surgery as chances of re calcification and valve failure are high on tissue valves.

So better you go for mechanical valves, and then lifelong you must avoid vitamin k supplements.
If you again go for tissue valve replacement then at least for 3 months warfarin should be continued. After 3 months also extra vitamin k supplements are not needed.

Foods containing vitamin k are cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, carrot etc. But they should be taken after 3 months of tissue valves and avoided in mechanical valve.
Kindly consult your cardiologist with my guidance; it will help to become clearer.

Thank you.
Any further questions are welcome.
Have a nice day.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Harshal Vora (5 hours later)

Thanks. Will do. Regarding blood thinners I do take 81 mg. aspirin, Omega Q Plus (krill), salmon oil, vit. E, and garlic and would do almost anything - Plavix, Eliquis, etc. - to avoid the rat poison warfarin. Still hoping for the tissue valve. My surgeon believes that a bout of endocarditis I had two years ago stripped my tissue valve of the protective protein MGP which led to the recalcification in less than two years. At this point he is leaning toward installing another tissue valve.

Answered by Dr. Harshal Vora (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Warfarin is the only recommended medicine

Detailed Answer:
Hello.. I should admire your knowledge regarding medical subjects.

If again your doctor will implant tissue valve then you don't need to take warfarin more than 3 months and you can take aspirin instead. Then vitamin k can be taken by the food supplements I have recommended earlier. No need to take vit k tabs.

But if mechanical valve replacement has been done then warfarin must have been given. Eliquis or plavix or aspirin can not be given instead of warfarin as studies have shown inferior results.
So any type of vitamin k supplements are absolutely contraindicated for whole life. Warfarin in a controlled dose is a safe medicine.

I think you are more clearer now regarding when to use vitamin k supplements and when to use warfarin.
Any other questions are welcome. Consult your doctor regarding information I have given.

Thank you.
Have a nice day.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj