Home prothrombin time monitoring: A literature analysis

David T. Yang, Ryan S. Robetorye, George M. Rodgers

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The anticoagulant activity of warfarin sodium is monitored by the prothrombin time (PT) using the international normalized ratio (INR). Standard oral anticoagulant therapy monitoring requires frequent patient visits to physicians' offices and/or laboratories to optimize warfarin dosage. Home PT monitoring by patients can increase testing frequency and may thus decrease complications associated with oral anticoagulant therapy. Clinical studies suggest that home PT monitoring is more effective than uncoordinated management and is as effective as care through specialized anticoagulation clinics for keeping INRs within a therapeutic range. There are accurate and reliable instruments available, but paramount to the success of home PT monitoring is sound patient selection, appropriate patient training, and consistent quality control.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)177-186
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican journal of hematology
Volume77
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2004

Keywords

  • Coagulation
  • Home monitoring
  • INR
  • Patient self-management
  • Patient self-testing
  • Prothrombin time

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

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