This paper reports the outcome of a research protocol aimed at optimising warfarin monitoring in a tertiary pediatric centre. The Thrombotest INR was the standard monitoring test employed to manage oral anticoagulant therapy in children at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne. This study compares the results of this standard method to the novel CoaguChek INR monitor and the "gold stan...

International normalized ratio (INR) monitoring is essential during oral anticoagulation therapy to minimize bleeding complications and thrombotic events. Laboratory technicians cannot differentiate falsely elevated INR results due to problems in drawing blood from truly elevated INR values, but the extent of this phenomenon is unclear. We determined the proportion of patients with INR values o...

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of the CoaguChek XS international normalised ratio (INR) monitor compared to the laboratory method. Methods: The accuracy and ease of use of the recently marketed CoaguChek XS portable INR monitor was evaluated in 17 patients involved in a trial of warfarin home-monitoring. INR results from the monitor were compared to the laboratory method. Clinical applicability ...

Warfarin is a common anticoagulant agent for cardiovascular diseases, and it is known to interact with several foods and drugs. Several studies report an interaction between warfarin and herbal medicines; however, the influence of herbal medicines on the international normalized ratio (INR) is still controversial. We investigated the influence of herbal formulas on INR of patients taking warfar...

The prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) Line method based on 5 certified European Concerted Action on Anticoagulation (ECAA) plasmas provides reliable local INR values without conventional World Health Organization international sensitivity index calibrations. The present study investigated the use of different numbers and types of ECAA calibrant plasmas to derive accurate ...

OBJECTIVE We investigated the association between the presence of major vessel occlusion (MVO) and the intensity of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) in cardioembolic high-risk patients taking warfarin. We also evaluated whether the presence of MVO could predict the subtherapeutic range of INR ≤1.7 ensuring safe administration of intravenous thrombolytics. METHODS The medical records o...

BACKGROUND Treatment of patients with excessive anticoagulation is routinely done by intravenous phytonadione (vitamin K1). Oral administration of phytonadione has been shown to be an effective alternative to the intravenous route, but these methods have never been compared directly. Our objective was to compare efficacy and safety of intravenous vs oral phytonadione treatment in patients with ...

Reliable international normalized ratio (INR) determination depends on accurate values for international sensitivity index (ISI) and mean normal prothrombin time (MNPT). Local ISI calibration can be performed to obtain reliable INR. Alternatively, the laboratory may determine INR directly from a line relating local log(prothrombin time [PT]) to log(INR). This can be done by means of lyophilized...

BACKGROUND Mechanical heart valve replacement has an inherent risk of thromboembolic events (TEs). Current guidelines recommend an international normalized ratio (INR) of at least 2.5 after mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a low INR (2.0-2.5) on thromboembolic and bleeding complications in patients with mechanical MVR on warfarin therapy. ...

OBJECTIVE To determine the optimal International Normalized Ratio (INR) level in Thai atrialfibrillation (AF) patients who received warfarin. MATERIAL AND METHOD This retrospective study enrolled 230 AF patients that received warfarin in Siriraj Hospital between January 1, 2005 andDecember 31, 2009 and collected the INR level at the time of the event, the numbers of ischemic stroke, and bleed...