Self testing is helpful for those on anticoagulant therapy

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new study shows a better outcome if self testing is used to monitor anticoagulant therapy.
Drugs, such as warfarin, which stop the blood from clotting are valuable in the care of those at risk of heart attack. However, these drugs are associated with the risk of bleeding or stroke and patients on them need careful monitoring.

A new device which allows the patient to do this monitoring themselves is now shown to have significant benefit. It helps the patient monitor their INR (International Normalized Ratio) the accepted measurement of clotting time. If the INR falls out of range, the dose of anticoagulant needs adjusting.

Tradtionally, the INR is mentioned in hospital or in the doctor's office every few weeks. The INR® HomeSM device allows monitoring to be done every week. A study of patients using it suggested a risk reduction of one third in death from all causes. This is thought to be linked to the increased frequency of monitoring and chance to adjust the dose of anticoagulant.

Source
The Lancet 4th February Volume 367 pages 404-411

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