ABSTRACT
There is a need to monitor anticoagulation accurately, inexpensively, and rapidly. The accuracy and precision of a simple fingerstick method was studied in a large outpatient anticoagulation clinic using the Coumatrak method. The Coumatrak apparatus has been studied in the home setting, and three recent reports suggest that it is practical, accurate, and possibly superior to the standard method. These results differ from recently published studies. This technique was found to be less than acceptable in precision and accuracy. This method requires further study before it can be recommended for wide-spread use in making decisions for patient care.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care Facilities , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Drug Monitoring/methods , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Drug Monitoring/standards , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prothrombin TimeABSTRACT
The use of warfarin sodium in the US has increased dramatically over the last 40 years. Warfarin sodium or Coumadin is the most popular oral anticoagulant used in the US. The podiatric physician frequently encounters patients taking this agent and therefore needs to understand its potential impact. This article will familiarize the reader with the history, pharmacology, clinical applications, side effects, and frequent drug interactions encountered with warfarin sodium.
