Summary

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.