RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Jacobson, Anne
T1 Home Anticoagulation Monitoring is Safe for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation or Mechanical Heart Valves
JF MD Conference Express
YR 2009
FD SAGE Publications
VO 8
IS 8
SP 20
OP 21
DO 10.1177/155989770900800812
UL http://mdc.sagepub.com/content/8/8/20.abstract
AB For patients who are chronically taking the blood thinner warfarin, weekly home monitoring of the international normalized ratio (INR) is a safe alternative to monthly clinical monitoring, according to new results of The Home INR Study [THINRS; NCT00032591]. Although more frequent home monitoring did not improve clinical outcomes compared with regular on-site clinic testing, the safety findings support its use, particularly among patients whose disabilities or geographic distance may limit access to a clinical lab for anticoagulation monitoring.