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Atrial Fibrilation
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Introduction
Introduction
Warfarin, an VKA oral anticoagulant, is recommended for
the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic
complications associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or
cardiac valve replacement.
Prevention of stroke is the main aim of management of
AF.
Use of warfarin is often inadequate and/or inappropriate.
Use is limited by warfarins narrow safety margin and its
propensity for drug interactions, among several other factors.
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Main
MainCharacteristics
Characteristicsof
ofthe
theVKAs
VKAs
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Advantages
Advantagesand
andDisadvantages
Disadvantagesof
ofWarfarin
Warfarin
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Warfarin
Warfarin Management
Management Strategies
Strategies
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Indications,
Indications,Goals
Goalsand
andDuration
Durationof
ofWarfarin
WarfarinTherapy
Therapy
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Commencing
Commencing Warfarin
Warfarin Therapy
Therapy
Balancing risks versus benefits for each patient consider
patients medical, social, dietary and drug history, level of
education and adherence to previous therapy.
CHADS2 SCORING
Note: The CHA2DS2-VASc score introduced by the European Society of Cardiology, provides a more
comprehensive assessment of the risk factors for stroke. It is better at identifying truly low-risk
patients with atrial fibrillation, and is now preferred over CHADS2.Anticoagulation with warfarin is
recommended if the CHADS2 score is 2 and should be considered if the score is 1.
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Scoring systems for assessing the risk of bleeding (HAS-
BLED) in patients with atrial fibrillation
Note: The HAS-BLED score has been developed to determine the risk of bleeding.
Scores range from 0 to 9. Scores 3 indicate a high risk of bleeding, the need for cautious
management and regular review of the patient. It is not the intention to use HAS-BLED
scores to exclude warfarin, but to allow the clinician to identify risk factors for bleeding and
to correct those that are modifiable.
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Warfarin
Warfarin Therapy
Therapy and
and the
the INR
INR
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STEPS OF THE INR CALCULATION
1.normalize the PT by comparing it to the mean normal
prothrombin time (MNPT)
2.This ratio is raised to a power designated as ISI, or
international sensitivity index
Two groups of data are used to derive the ISI
(i)normal healthy individuals and
(ii)patients stabilized on warfarin.
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A calibration model, adopted in 1982, is now used to standardize
reporting by converting the PT ratio measured with the local
thromboplastin into an INR, calculated as follows:
where ISI denotes the ISI of the thromboplastin used at the local
laboratory to perform the PT measurement.
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Normal INR is typically 0.9 to about 1.1.
On warfarin therapy, the INR elevates to between 2 and 3.5
Most hospital pharmacies and clinical hematology services will
have specific INR goals documented in their treatment
protocols.
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Starting
Starting Warfarin
Warfarin
Measure the baseline INR.
If this is 1.4 or above, without warfarin, liver function and nutrition
status should be assessed and specialist advice sought regarding the
patients suitability for anticoagulation with warfarin.
Warfarin is usually started with loading doses based on Fennerty
warfarin loading protocol.
Safe starting doses of 5 mg represent a large loading dose for a patient
who requires a maintenance dose of only 1-2 mg; can lead to marked over-
anticoagulation in a few days if INRs are not monitored.
When possible, a single strength warfarin tablet should preferably be
prescribed so that doses are multiples of one tablet.
Patients should take their warfarin once a day at the same time in the
evening, with INR testing in the morning.
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The INR should be measured daily for the first five days.
Maintenance
Maintenance therapy
therapy
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Suggested dose changes for maintaining INR within
a target range of 23
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Warfarin
Warfarin isis subject
subject to
to multiple
multiple interactions
interactions
Diet
Ex: beetroot, liver, green leafy vegetables (decreased INR)
Drugs that may Increase INR
macrolide antibiotics, imidazole antifungals,
sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, amiodarone, statins,
some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and some
complementary medicines such as St Johns wort
Weight Loss or Weight Gain
Excess Alcohol
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Preventing
Preventing INRs
INRs outside
outside of
of target
target range
range
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Elevated INRs between 4.5 and 10, and not associated
with bleeding or a high risk of bleeding, can be safely
managed by withholding warfarin and carefully monitoring
the INR.
Vitamin K1 can be given orally or intravenously to
reverse the effect of warfarin in patients with INRs above 10
or those with bleeding or a high risk of bleeding.
The initial intravenous dose of vitamin K should
probably not exceed 0.51 mg.
If immediate reversal is required, prothrombin complex
is preferred to fresh frozen plasma.
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Point-of-care
Point-of-caretesting
testing
Self-monitoring had significant reductions in thromboembolic
events and death, with more time in the target range, compared to
those who did not self-monitor.