You JHS, Chan FWH, Wong RSM, Cheng G. Is INR between 2.0 and 3.0 the optimal level for Chinese patients on warfarin therapy for moderate-intensity anticoagulation?
Br J Clin Pharmacol 2005;
59:582-7. [PMID:
15842557 PMCID:
PMC1884850 DOI:
10.1111/j.1365-2125.2005.02361.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM
To examine the optimal range of International Normalized Ratio (INR) for Chinese patients receiving warfarin for moderate-intensity anticoagulation.
METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the ambulatory setting of a 1400-bed public teaching hospital in Hong Kong. The INR measurements and occurrence of serious or life-threatening haemorrhagic and thromboembolic events among patients newly started on warfarin from 1 January 1999 to 30 June 2001 for indications with target INR 2-3 were analysed. The INR-specific incidence of bleeding and thromboembolism were calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 491 patients were included, contributing to 453 patient-years of observation period. Forty-seven of the 491 patients experienced 25 haemorrhagic events (5.5 per 100 patient-years) and 27 thromboembolic events (6.0 per 100 patient-years). The percentage of patient-time spent within therapeutic INR range (2-3), INR <2 and INR >3 were 50, 44 and 6%, respectively. The incidence of either haemorrhagic or thromboembolic events was lowest (< or =4 events per 100 patient-years) at INR values between 1.8 and 2.4.
CONCLUSIONS
An INR of 1.8-2.4 appeared to be associated with the lowest incidence rate of major bleeding or thromboembolic events in a cohort of Hong Kong Chinese patients receiving warfarin therapy for moderate-intensity anticoagulation.
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