Alternative to warfarin if you have a mechanical valve?

My husband had artificial heart value surgery in 2014. He gets horrible skin breakouts from taking warfarin. He discovered this after he was hospitalized last winter and taken off the warfarin. His skin immediately cleared up. He was sent to a dermatologist prior to his hospitalization for the rash, but they only prescribed a cream, which did little. Another dermatologist did the same.

The breakout is severe, and recently led to a serious infection and some other serious health concerns. He is still on strong antibiotics. Heart doctors tell him there is no good substitute for warfarin, since my husband has a mechanical (St. Jude) valve.

Just wondering if anyone here has a similar mechanical heart valve and takes something other than warfarin (Coumadin) for a blood thinner? Doctors want him to replace the current valve with a different type, so the breakouts from the warfarin stop, but obviously, this is another open-heart, major surgery, so it's very concerning.

We have been told there is no other 'good' alternative to the warfarin. Just wondering if someone here might know of something else that has worked. The doctors seem to think surgery for a new valve is about the only alternative.

Thanks for any help and input.

Thanks so much for the reply, Susie.

I'm generally on the fibromyalgia forum, and it's been very quiet there, too, for some time.

Yes, we are looking for a second opinion with other cardiologists. In fact, my husband has an appointment coming up in September, and will also be talking to a different cardiologist this week. Thanks for that idea, though--very appreciated! It's sometimes amazing how differently various doctors can think, so always a good thing to check out.

Hope you have a great weekend and thanks again!

Hi HT: Another great idea! I have been very happy with our local pharmacist; she's always willing to help if I have questions.
If she doesn't know the answer offhand, she'll take out a book and look it up.
I will check with her tomorrow on this.

Thanks again and have a great week!

Thanks very much for that info, PPMSing12! My husband will see his heart doctor in a couple of weeks, so it's always good to have this type of info when the visit comes up. I don't believe I've heard of Apixiban, so it's great to come across such info.
Thanks again and enjoy the weekend!