Home Anticoagulation Monitoring is Safe for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation or Mechanical Heart Valves

Abstract

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.