The Influence of Genetic Polymorphisms on Warfarin Dosage Requirements in Cardiac Valve Surgery Patients

Abstract

Aim: Warfarin, a widely prescribed anticoagulant, exhibits considerable variability in patient response, making its clinical use challenging due to a narrow therapeutic window. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 gene polymorphisms in a cohort of 87 Turkish patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery and received warfarin therapy, as well as to assess their impact on warfarin dosage requirements. Methods: The frequencies of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphisms were analyzed, and patients were stratified based on the presence or absence of mutations affecting warfarin dosing. Results: Revealed that patients carrying at least one CYP2C9 or VKORC1 polymorphism required a significantly lower weekly warfarin dose to achieve the optimal international normalized ratio (INR). Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of genetic factors in determining warfarin dosage and supports the integration of pharmacogenetic testing into clinical practice to personalize warfarin therapy. Such an approach has the potential to enhance treatment outcomes and minimize the risk of adverse events. Further research involving larger sample sizes and diverse patient populations is warranted to validate these findings and refine the current understanding of the genetic determinants of warfarin dosing.