GFHT proposals for management of discordance between the International normalized ratio measured in the laboratory and by self-testing

Abstract

The lack of quality control for patient point-of-care (POC) INR devices is an issue that has led the French health authorities to make recommendations: a laboratory INR (lab INR) has to be performed at the same time as the POC INR every 6 months. However, the differences observed between the two INRs, POC and lab INRs, are not necessarily due to a failure of the POC INR device. We present here a review of the different causes of discrepancies between INR results, which are the basis of the proposals of the Groupe francais d'etudes sur l'hemostase et la thrombose (GFHT) on the management of lab and POC INR discrepancies. Pre-analytical conditions may account for discrepancies (sampling, transport and storage conditions), as well as analytical factors (mainly the nature of the thromboplastin used) and the clinical context (inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, polycythaemia...). The interpretation of INR discrepancies is not always easy and these proposals aim at standardizing the procedure to be followed in order to make the most appropriate decision for the patient.