International Normalized Ratio Levels Research Articles

Bleeding Complications in Warfarin-Treated Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department

BackgroundIncreased use of warfarin for the treatment and prophylaxis of many diseases has increased the frequency of adverse events. Emergency departments (EDs) are the first places where early interventions for bleeding and other complaints related to warfarin use are performed. This study assessed the characteristics of patients receiving warfarin and the risk factors for bleeding complication among those admitted to the ED.MethodsPatients admitted to the ED for any reason other than trauma during a 1-year period were retrospectively reviewed. The study population consisted of 96 patients who had received warfarin and had an international normalized ratio (INR) ≥ 3. Patient demographics and medical history were recorded.ResultsThe mean age of the patients (female, 52.1%) was 64.9 ± 14.5 years. Fatigue was the most common presenting complaint (61%). At least one major and/or minor bleeding event had occurred in 32 (33.3%) of the patients. Patients with (n = 32) and without (n = 64) bleeding complications did not significantly differ with respect to age, sex, reason for warfarin initiation, duration of warfarin use, concomitant diseases, and concurrent medications. There were also no significant differences in the distribution of patient admissions in terms of season at presentation, INR level, and weekly warfarin dose.ConclusionsWhile the parameters evaluated in this study did not significantly differ among warfarin-treated patients, they may nonetheless pose a risk of bleeding. Further large-scale and long-term studies that take into account biological variation are required to precisely identify the risk factors for bleeding.

Elevated International Normalized Ratio: A Risk Factor for Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhotic Patients.

BackgroundPortal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a complication that is commonly seen in patients with cirrhosis and an entity that leads to increased mortality in patients who undergo liver transplantation. This study aims to establish a link between an elevated international normalized ratio (INR) and the presence of PVT in a cohort of cirrhotic patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients diagnosed with cirrhosis in SBH Health System from 2013 to 2018. Among these patients we extracted baseline demographic data, laboratory results, co-morbidities and the presence of PVT.ResultsIn total there were 268 patients who met our inclusion criteria. Twenty-two patients had PVT, while 246 patients did not. Of the 22 patients with PVT there was a statistically significant increase in INR when compared to patients without PVT. There was also a statistically significant increase in total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and platelet count.ConclusionsElevated INR levels are associated with the presence of PVT in patients with cirrhosis. These findings suggest a hypercoagulable state and could assist clinicians in risk-stratifying patients when making the decision to initiate anti-coagulation therapy.

Point-of-care monitoring of international normalized ratio among patients with mechanical valves in Jos, North-Central, Nigeria

Background: Rheumatic heart disease is the leading cause of acquired valvular heart disease in low- and middle-income countries and sometimes requires mechanical valve replacement. Postsurgical management of these patients is vital and includes lifelong anticoagulation with close monitoring. This study aims to report our experience with anticoagulation monitoring of patients with mechanical heart valves using a handheld portable device. Patients and Methods: This retrospective review involved 12 patients that were enrolled in the anticoagulation clinic (AC) of a local nongovernmental organization, at different times between 2003 and 2012. Patients' sociodemographic variables, international normalized ratio (INR) assay results, and clinical status were routinely entered into a register and were retrieved for the present review. Results: The 12 patients comprised three males and nine females and were resident between 3.7 and 300 km from the AC. Their age ranged from 7 to 26 years (mean 14.1 ± 3.3 years, median 13 years) at the time of enrollment into the AC. Seven hundred and ninety-four INR assays were done during the period under review (mean 12.2 ± 5.4 INR assays per patient per year). Of the 794 assays, 38.5% were within target (INR levels between 2.5 and 3.5 or between 2.0 and 3.0 for patients with mechanical valves at the mitral and aortic positions, respectively) 35.7% were below the target range, and 25.7% were above the target range. Conclusion: Our experience with point-of-care INR testing in a clinic setting suggests that adopting this approach could improve the quality of anticoagulation monitoring by increasing patients' access to the device, the frequency of assays per patient, and, ultimately, the number of within-target INR assays.

Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation in Liver Cirrhosis after Correcting Nutritional Anomalies, A Controlled Clinical Study.

Objective Liver transplantation is the gold standard approach for decompensated liver cirrhosis. In recent years, stem cell therapy has raised hopes that adjusting some clinical and laboratory parameters could lead to successful treatments for this disease. Cirrhotic patients may have multiple systemic abnormalities in peripheral blood and irregular cell populations in bone marrow (BM). Correcting these abnormalities before BM aspiration may improve the effectiveness of cell-based therapy of liver cirrhosis. Materials and Methods In this controlled clinical trial study, 20 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Blood samples were obtained to measure vitamin B12, folate, serum iron, total iron bonding capacity (TIBC) and ferritin before any intervention. Furthermore, the iron storage and fibrosis level in BM biopsies, as well as the percentage of different cell populations, were evaluated. Prior to cell isolation for transplantation, we performed palliative supplement therapy followed by a correction of nutritional deficiencies. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were then isolated from BM aspirates and transfused through peripheral vein in patients in the experimental group. The model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, The international normalized ratio (INR), serum albumin and bilirubin levels were assessed at 0 (baseline), 3 and 6 months after cell transplantation. Results The MELD score (P=0.0001), INR (P=0.012), bilirubin (P<0.0001) and total albumin (P<0.0001) levels improved significantly in the experimental group after cell transplantation compared to the baseline and control groups. Moreover, the increase in serum albumin levels of patients in the experimental group was statistically significant 6 months after transplantation. ConclusionWe have successfully improved the conditions of preparing -BM-derived stem cells for transplantation. Although these cells are relatively safe and have been shown to improve some clinical signs and symptoms temporarily, there need to be more basic studies regarding the preparation steps for effective clinical use (Registration number: IRCT2014091919217N1).

A Comparison between TTR and FIR as a Measure of the Quality of Anticoagulation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing concern worldwide. In order to prevent AF-related adverse vascular events, adequate oral anticoagulation with warfarin is essential. The Rosendaal method has long been used to calculate time in therapeutic range (TTR) in clinical trials to assess the quality of anticoagulation but now suffers dwindling popularity due to its tedious method of calculation and inability to account for the duration spent in an out-of-range international normalized ratio (INR). Frequency in range (FIR) is being reassessed as to its value as it is easier to calculate. Objectives: We aimed to compare FIR and TTR (using the Rosendaal method) as a measure to assess the quality of anticoagulation with warfarin in a cohort of 102 consecutive patients with valvular and non-valvular AF at a tertiary South African hospital. Secondary objectives were to assess the predictive ability of FIR to categorize patients with a TTR ≥ 65% as well as to compare the CHA2DS2VASc and HASBLED scores with TTRs and FIRs. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the INR values for all patients over a 2-year period and calculated both individual and overall mean TTR and FIR and assessed the agreement between these parameters. Results: The mean overall TTR was 58.1% ± 16% and the mean FIR was 50.8% ± 16.7%. The mean TTR was significantly higher than the mean FIR (p &lt; 0.0001). At the individual level, FIR was positively correlated with TTR in a linear fashion ( r = 0.93, p &lt; 0.001). However, the Bland–Altman method plot indicated lack of agreement between TTR and FIR, with a bias of 7.4% (95% CI: 6.1%–8.6%) and limits of agreement −4.6% to 19.3%, standard deviation (SD) = 6.1%. A cut-off value of FIR ≥ 53.3% was found to be a good predictor of TTR ≥65%. Conclusion: Our study shows that although TTR and FIR are highly correlated with the individual INR levels, they are not equal. The two methods cannot be used interchangeably to assess warfarin control, and TTR should probably remain the gold standard.

Predictors of Over-Anticoagulation in Warfarin Users in the UK General Population: A Nested Case-Control Study in a Primary Health Care Database.

Many patients on warfarin therapy often present with supratherapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) levels, resulting from the influence of several patient-specific factors, which have been associated with adverse outcomes. This article aims to identify risk factors for over-anticoagulation (INR levels ≥4) in a cohort of patients taking warfarin. A cohort of warfarin users aged 18 to 85 years from January 2005 to April 2013 was identified in The Health Improvement Network U.K. primary care database (N = 12,506). A random date was assigned to all patients within their eligible person-time (index date), and a nested case-control analysis was performed with individuals presenting a first episode of INR level ≥4 after the index date used as cases (N = 699) and patients with non-supratherapeutic INR values (≤3) as controls (N = 9,798). Using unconditional logistic regression models, odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated adjusted for potential confounders. Two sensitivity analyses were performed with alternative definitions of over-anticoagulation (INR levels ≥5 or > 3). Among the factors examined, the strongest predictors of over-anticoagulation were warfarin indication (in particular, valvular atrial fibrillation and valve replacement), renal failure (with the risk increasing steeply with decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate), cancer, anaemia, respiratory infections treated with antibiotics, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with β2-agonists, polypharmacy (≥10 medications), low socio-economic status and residency in rural areas. Similar results were obtained when supratherapeutic levels were defined as INR ≥5 or, alternatively, as INR > 3. Predictors of supratherapeutic INR levels found in this study might help physicians identify patients where closer INR monitoring is warranted.

Outcomes of systematic anticoagulation management in pharmacist and nurse specialized clinics

BackgroundWhile systematic anticoagulation management leads to improved outcomes, there is limited data comparing outcomes in anticoagulation clinics managed by pharmacists vs nurses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pharmacist vs nurse‐managed clinics on the quality of anticoagulation and warfarin‐related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) admissions.MethodsA retrospective observational cohort study of patients treated with warfarin and referred to a pharmacist‐managed anticoagulation clinic (PMAC) or a nurse‐managed anticoagulation clinic (NMAC) was conducted at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System. The primary outcome was the proportion of international normalized ratio levels in therapeutic range (PIR). The secondary outcome was warfarin‐related hospitalizations and ED visits. Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the effect of the model of care (PMAC vs NMAC) on PIR and hospitalization/ED visits, respectively. An economic evaluation of adverse events was also undertaken.ResultsA total of 200 consecutive patients (100 patients in the PMAC group and 100 patients in the NMAC group) were included. The majority of patients were females (58.5%) and average age was 61.4 ± 14.6 years. Patients in the PMAC group were more nonadherent to warfarin therapy and had more than three missed clinic appointments compared with the NMAC group ([19.1% ± 10.1% vs 4.1% ± 4.1%, P &lt; 0.05]; and [78% vs 33%, P &lt; 0.05]) respectively. The average PIR was 51.8% ± 15.9% and 56.2% ± 13.9% (P = 0.04) in the PMAC and NMAC groups, respectively. After controlling for confounders, the adjusted PIR was not different between the two groups. The NMAC group, however, had over seven times greater odds of hospitalization/ED visits compared to the PMAC group. The PMAC saved $505 349 over a 1.25 year period.ConclusionThe quality of warfarin anticoagulation did not differ between pharmacist and nurse‐managed models of anticoagulation care, however, PMACs decreased the odds of warfarin‐related hospitalizations/ED visits and their associated costs.

Qualitative study of patient experiences of responsibility in warfarin therapy.

Results of a study to characterize the experiences of warfarin-treated patients, including their experiences in taking medication, communicating with clinical pharmacists, and International Normalized Ratio (INR) monitoring, are reported. A qualitative analysis of data obtained during interviews with 40 patients at a Veterans Affairs medical center warfarin clinic was conducted. In semistructured interviews, the patients were asked to describe the process whereby their INR values were monitored by pharmacists and their understanding of self-management responsibilities, including medication adherence and implementation of lifestyle modifications that might influence the effectiveness of anticoagulation therapy. Analysis of interview results indicated that patients' experience in the event of variation in INR levels is characterized by misperceptions of the instructions regarding appropriate dietary and lifestyle behaviors, misattribution of responsibility for abnormal readings, and provider uncertainty in ascertaining causation for out-of-range INR values. Patients frequently reported that they interpret pharmacist questions to imply that they are responsible for variable INR values. This perception may indirectly lead to adverse consequences such as withholding of information from anticoagulation care providers and skipping clinic appointments, which could in turn result in suboptimal clinical outcomes. Analysis of results of qualitative interviews of patients receiving warfarin indicated that patients may interpret routine questioning about INR variation as implying that they are to blame for poor anticoagulation control.

International normalized ratio on admission predicts the 90-day mortality of critically ill patients undergoing endarterectomy.

The association of the international normalized ratio (INR) with the long-term clinical outcome of patients who undergo endarterectomy has not yet been studied. The present study therefore primarily aimed to evaluate the association of INR on admission with the 90-day mortality of critically ill patients who underwent endarterectomy during hospitalization. The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database was queried for patients undergoing endarterectomy. The 90-day mortality of patients was selected as a primary endpoint. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to present the accuracy of predictions. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to analyse associations. Propensity score matching (PSM) was also conducted to reduce confounding bias. A total of 230 patients were included, with 36 90-day non-survivors. Patients with a high INR (≥1.5) on admission exhibited a higher 90-day mortality than those with a low INR (<1.5; 29.09 vs. 11.43%; P=0.003). The ROC area under the curve value was 0.687 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.571–0.780]. Kaplan-Meier plots identified divergence in survival between patients with different INR levels (log-rank test, P=0.0013). The results of the multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that a high INR level was significantly associated with 90-day mortality (hazard ratio, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.08–4.45; P=0.0305). Analysis of the PSM cohort presented similar results. In conclusion, the INR levels of critically ill patients who undergo endarterectomy may be used to stratify their risk of 90-day mortality.

Laboratory measures of coagulation among trauma patients on NOAs: results of the AAST-MIT

BackgroundWarfarin is associated with poor outcomes after trauma, an effect correlated with elevations in the international normalized ratio (INR). In contrast, the novel oral anticoagulants (NOAs) have no validated laboratory...

Risk of Recurrent Chronic Subdural Hematoma Associated with Early Warfarin Resumption: A Matched Cohort Study

Studies on resuming anticoagulation after burr-hole drainage for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) are limited. To evaluate the safety for early warfarin resumption after burr-hole drainage, we conducted a retrospective matched cohort study. Between January 2008 and April 2015, 36 patients with warfarin-related unilateral CSDH and 151 patients with ordinary unilateral CSDH were enrolled in this study. Patients taking warfarin were managed homogeneously according to the study protocol, and the usual dosage of warfarin was resumed within 2 or 3 days of burr-hole drainage to reach a target international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.1. The primary outcome, defined as recurrent CSDH requiring repeated burr-hole drainage within 3 months of the initial surgery, was compared between the two groups. The primary outcome was observed in 4 (11%) of the 36 patients taking warfarin and in 18 (12%) of the 151 ordinary patients. After propensity score matching, the primary outcome was observed in 3 of 33 patients (9%) in the matched warfarin cohort and 11 of 74 patients (15%) in the matched ordinary cohort. When the results were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation, no significant difference was observed in the rate of recurrent CSDH between the 2 groups (P= 0.411). In addition, we found that recurrent CSDH was not related to postoperative international normalized ratio levels (P= 0.332). There was no definitive association between postoperative early warfarin resumption and the recurrence rate of CSDH. Patients with warfarin-related CSDH and a strong indication for anticoagulation can be managed by resuming warfarin within 3 days of burr-hole drainage.

Coagulation tests at trigger day in patients with Factor V Leiden Mutation to predict implantation failure

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of coagulation tests at trigger day in patients with isolated factor V Leiden mutation who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle (ICSI).Study Design: Ninety women with isolated factor V Leiden mutation underwent ICSI cycles with an indication of unexplained infertility. In all participants antagonist protocol was used for ovarian hyperstimulation and coagulation tests including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), partial thromboplastin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), serum fibrinogen and D-dimer levels at trigger day were determined to predict successful implantation. All the clinical parameters specific for the treatment and some patient characteristics were recorded for each participants.Results: There was no significant difference between groups with and without succesfull implantation in terms of age, body mass index, basal hormone levels (follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone at day 3 and antimullerian hormone) (P &gt; 0.05). Estradiol and progestrone levels at trigger day were comparable between groups (P &gt; 0.05). Groups had similar endometrial thickness at embryo transfer day (P &gt; 0.05). Some ovarian stimulation characteristics including initial gonadotropin dose, number of follicles &gt; 17 mm, number of oocytes harvested and number of embryos were similar between groups (P &gt; 0.05). Although there was no significant difference between groups with regard to APTT and PT levels, INR level were significantly lower while D-dimer levels and fibrinogen were significantly higher in cases without implantation (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: D-dimer, fibrinogen and INR levels were significant predictors for successful implantation in women with isolated factor V Leiden who underwent ovulation hyperstimulation.

The impact of therapeutic plasma exchange and double filtration plasmapheresis on hemostasis in renal transplant recipients.

To investigate the impact of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on hemostasis in renal transplant recipients. 54 renal transplant patients with an acute humoral rejection were treated with therapeutic apheresis methods: 24 patients with DFPP and 30 patients with TPE. In all patients was performed 3-4 session. We analyzed international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen concentration and platelet count just before and after each session, and after the course of all procedures. After TPE plasma replacement was performed with an equivalent volume of a fresh frozen plasma. After DFPP was performed 10-20% albumin solution. After each DFPP session was occurred an increased INR and aPTT. After course of all DFPP procedures fibrinogen level decreased by 46%. It was associated with increase of APTT and INR by 35% and 32% respectively. Mainly it was associated with dose of the procedures (volume of plasma perfusion), but not with the plasma separator type. One patient noted hemorrhagic complication. After each TPE session level of fibrinogen concentration, INR and aPPT remained in the normal range, but there was a moderate reduction in platelet count, more pronounced than during DFPP. Hemorrhagic complications were not. Double cascade plasmapheresis and therapeutic plasma exchange generate preconditions for hemorrhagic complications such as increased aPTT and INR, reduce fibrinogen concentration. However, bleeding complications are rare. At the same time, during high volume DFPP should be careful when initially level of fibrinogen is low. In this case fibrinogen concentration should be controlled after the procedure for timely replenishment of its deficit.

Clinical effect of enoxaparin on international normalized ratio following hepato-pancreatico-biliary and gastroesophageal resection.

Enoxaparin inactivates factor Xa via a complex formed after binding to circulating anti-thrombin III. This mechanism is reported not to alter hemostatic measures such as clotting time, PT, or PTT. To date, no clinical trials have shown a causal relationship between the clinical/pharmacological effects of enoxaparin on international normalized ratio (INR). The aim of our study is to show the clinical effect of enoxaparin on INR. Patients (N = 350) were reviewed from our prospective IRB approved databases undergoing gastroesophageal or hepatobiliary surgeries. INR levels were recorded for 6 days: pre-operative to 5 days after surgery. Patients (N = 289) received enoxaparin daily starting post-operative day 1, while 61 patients who did not receive enoxaparin were used as controls. The mean post-operative INR in both the 30 and 40 mg groups were both significantly higher than the mean post-operative INR of the control group (P = 0.015 and P = 0.00075, respectively); however postoperative hemoglobin levels were not significantly lower in the enoxaparin versus control. This is the first clinical evidence of the effect of enoxaparin on INR in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries for malignancies. We demonstrate an increase in the INR for patients who received enoxaparin for post-operative VTE prophylaxis.

Clinical performance of stem cell therapy in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundStem cell therapy has been applied in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, its clinical efficiency is still debatable. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the clinical efficiency of stem cell therapy in the treatment of ACLF.MethodsThe Cochrane Library, OVID, EMBASE, and PUBMED were searched to December 2017. Both randomized and non-randomized studies, assessing stem cell therapy in patients with ACLF, were included. The outcome measures were total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine transaminase (ALT), international normalized ratio (INR), albumin (ALB), and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The quality of evidence was assessed by GRADEpro.ResultsFour randomized controlled trials and six non-randomized controlled trials were included. The TBIL levels significantly decreased at 1-, 3-, 12-month after the stem cell therapy (p = 0.0008; p = 0.04; p = 0.007). The ALT levels decreased significantly compared with the control group in the short-term (p < 0.00001). There was no obvious change in the INR level compared with the control groups (p = 0.64). The ALB levels increased markedly as compared with the control groups (p < 0.0001). The significant difference can be found in MELD score between stem cell therapy and control groups (p = 0.008). Further subgroup analysis for 3-month clinical performance according to the stem cell types have also been performed.ConclusionThis study suggests that the clinical outcomes of stem cell therapy were satisfied in patients with ACLF in the short-term. MSCs may be better than BM-MNCs in the stem cells transplantation of ACLF. However, more attention should focus on clinical trials in large-volume centers.

Tranexamic Acid in Patients with Green Snake Bite in Western Region of Nepal

Introduction: Green snakes found in hilly areas of Nepal cause significant morbidity in form of local swelling and bleeding manifestations. Polyvalent antivenoms are not indicated for the treatment. Specific management protocols are not endorsed for its bite. Conventionally, vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma are used to correct deranged coagulation in green snake bite.Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of addition of tranexamic acid to the conventional method in green snake bite in western region of Nepal.Methodology: A hospital based, prospective comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Department Medicine Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal from April 2014 to October 2017. It included 110 patients aged 15 to 76 years of both genders with confirmed history of green snake bite. Participants were alternately randomized into two groups; conventional group, tranexamic acid group. Duration of hospital stay was considered the primary outcome measure for this study while INR levels were considered the secondary outcome measure. Data were collected in a preformed pro forma and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Differences were considered significant if p-value is &lt; 0.05.Results: The age (mean: 35.41; SD=17.23) of the study population ranged from 15 -76 years. The median duration of hospital stay in conventional group was 8 days (Inter Quartile Range = 7 to 8) and in tranexamic acid group was 6 days (Inter Quartile Range: 5 to 6). Mean INR was statistically significantly different at day 5 and day 6 in favor of tranexamic acid group (p&lt;0.001)Conclusion: Treatment with tranexamic acid reduced the median duration of hospital stay by two days. Statistically significant differences in mean International Normalized Ratio levels were seen at day 5 and 6 of hospitalization (p&lt;0.001). BJHS 2018;3(1)5 : 346-349

Majority of Total Joint Arthroplasties Are Subtherapeutic on Warfarin at Time of Discharge: Another Reason to Avoid Warfarin as a Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis?

BackgroundWarfarin has been used as prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) for over 60 years. With trends of shorter hospital stays for TJA patients, it is important to examine how many patients achieve therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) at time of discharge. We aimed at elucidating the proportion of patients discharged at therapeutic INR and whether this is affected by inpatient specialty anticoagulation management service (AMS) involvement. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of 2927 primary TJA patients who received warfarin as postoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis from 2011 to 2016. An electronic chart query determined AMS input, length of stay (LOS), INR at discharge, and in-hospital complications. INR results were categorized as subtherapeutic (INR < 2.0), therapeutic (2.0 ≤ INR < 3.0), and supratherapeutic (INR ≥ 3.0). Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests were performed for analysis. ResultsAt discharge, 93.9% of patients had subtherapeutic INR. Average INR was 1.41 with average LOS of 2.53 days. Factors associated with being subtherapeutic included male gender, shorter LOS, fewer comorbidities, reduced in-hospital complications, and higher body mass index. AMS supervised postoperative warfarin dosing in 64.9% of patients. Patients managed by AMS were less likely to be subtherapeutic at discharge compared to those without AMS input; however, the absolute difference in INR may not be clinically significant. There were 19 VTEs, of which 13 had prolonged hospitalization to achieve therapeutic INR. ConclusionThe majority of patients are discharged at subtherapeutic INR levels despite management by AMS. Patients may not be adequately anticoagulated with warfarin at time of discharge, raising significant patient safety concerns as well as medicolegal implications.

PP-59 - An Unusual Case of Asymptomatic Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Related to Amiodarone Induced INR Elevation

Abstract: Pulmonary adverse effects of amiodarone is an important cause of morbidity. Despite pulmonary toxicity occurs as pneumonitis, rarely, it may also occur as diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Another important amiodarone-induced adverse effect is hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity mostly presents as asymptomatic elevation of liver enzymes. To the best of our knowledge, in amiodarone-induced hepatotoxicity AST, ALT elevation is well known, however, there is no clear data about high International normalized ratio (INR) level in this condition. In this case report, a patient was presented under management of chronic low-dose amiodarone who admitted to emergency department for hematoma on his tongue. During the assessment for bleeding diathesis, INR was found to be 8.59. All other causes were excluded for high INR level in this case and amiodarone was related to high INR level. Since there were diffuse infiltrations on chest X-ray, the patient underwent thorax tomography. Asymptomatic diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to INR elevation was considered. This patient is the first case who had amiodarone-induced INR elevation, and as a consequence, developed asymptomatic diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

THE CONTROL OF INTERNATIONAL NORMALISED RATIO IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION TREATED WITH WARFARIN IN OUTPATIENT AND HOSPITAL SETTINGS: DATA FROM RECVASA REGISTRIES

Am. To study in the RECVASA registers the availability of data about the international normalized ratio (INR) indicator and achievement of its target values in outpatient and hospital practice in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. Material and methods . Data about the INR control and the frequency of achievement of its target values at the outpatient and hospital stages were analyzed in RECVASA (Ryazan) and RECVASA FP – Yaroslavl outpatient registries, as well as in the hospital registers RECVASA FP (Moscow, Kursk, Tula) in 817 patients (46.9% of men, age 68.5±9.6 years) with AF and the prescribed anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. Results . INR was determined in 689 (84.3%) of 817 patients. The values of INR were monitored during therapy with warfarin in RECVASA (Ryazan) and RECVASA FP –Yaroslavl outpatient registries in 73.7% and 77.7% of patients, respectively, and in RECVASA FP hospital registers: 95.8% (Moscow); 81.3% (Tula) and 93.5% (Kursk). The target level of INR (2.0-3.0) was achieved in a minority of patients with AF during treatment with warfarin: inRyazan – in 26.3% of cases;Yaroslavl – 38.3%;Kursk – 34.8%;Moscow – 39.5%; Tule – 26.3%. Control of INR in hospital registries during warfarin therapy in patients with AF significantly more often (p<0.05) was performed at the hospital stage, compared with prehospital (in Kursk –2.3 times more often in Moscow – 2.6 times, in Tula – in 1,8 times). The target level of INR in the hospital was achieved significantly more often (p<0.05) than before hospitalization (Moscow andKursk), but no significant differences were found in the RECVASA FP –Tula register (p=0.08). The INR was monitored by 94.9% of the patients; however, the target values of this indicator were achieved only in 33% of cases in the sample study in the RECVASA FP –Moscow registry according to a survey of 39 patients with AF who continued to receive warfarin after 2.6±0.8 years after discharge from the hospital. Conclusion . INR was monitored in 74-96% of patients with AF treated with warfarin and included in the RECVASA and RECVASA FP registries. Target levels of INR were achieved only in 26-39% of patients. INR was monitored with achievement of its target levels more often at the hospital stage of treatment than before hospitalization and more often than in outpatient registries. In practical public health in patients with AF treated with warfarin, it is fundamentally important to monitor INR and increase the frequency of achieving its target values, at which the risk of cardioembolic stroke and other thromboembolic complications is proven to be reduced.

ORAL ANTICOAGULANT PRESCRIPTION ANALYSIS FOR UTILISATION PATTERN AMONG IN-PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: Selection of oral anticoagulants (OACs) in patients with thromboembolic diseases is complex and equivocal in nature, owing majorly to the non-adherence to standard clinical guidelines. Moreover, there is a scarcity of data on utilisation pattern of OACs in Indian population. Our primary objective was to analyse the prescribing pattern of OACs among in-patients with thromboembolic disorders. The secondary objective was to determine the significant predictors that affect their utilisation pattern.Methods: This prospective observational study examined the clinical data over 6 mo from in-patients on oral anticoagulation with warfarin and acenocoumarol. Patients were recruited into 2 study groups: coronary artery disease (CAD) and non-CAD to analyse the prescription pattern. Potential predictors of utilisation pattern were evaluated for significance with logistic regression analysis for CAD group.Results: Prescription analysis highlights preference of acenocoumarol (72.4%) over warfarin among 232 in-patients in the study. Lack of achievement of target international normalised ratio (INR) levels was noticed in 74.2% of the study population. 57.8% of cases belonged to CAD group (males 76.7%; mean age 59.4±13.5 y). Valvular heart disease (VHD) was the significant predictor (p =0.001) of warfarin utilisation among CAD patients while male gender, heart failure (HF) and arrhythmia were significant for acenocoumarol.Conclusion: Predominance of age&lt;60 y and male gender was observed in the study. Acenocoumarol was preferred over warfarin in all the in-patient departments. VHD, male gender, HF and arrhythmia significantly affected the OAC utilisation.