Flexible induction dose regimen for warfarin and prediction of maintenance dose. Issue 6426 (28th April 1984)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fennerty, A; Dolben, J; Thomas, P; Backhouse, G; Bentley, D P; Campbell, I A; Routledge, P A
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 288:Issue 6426(1984)
• Page Start: 1268
• Page End: 1270
• Publication Date: 1984-04-28
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.288.6426.1268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Fifty patients with venous thromboembolic disease being treated by heparin infusion received a three day warfarin induction regimen tailored according to the prothrombin time (British comparative ratio) measured on days 2 and 3. A prediction of the final maintenance dose of warfarin was made on the basis of a prothrombin time measured on day 4. All patients were safely anticoagulated by day 6, and the prediction was accurate to within 1 mg in 46 patients. Predicted and actual maintenance doses were closely related (r = 0.867; n = 50; p less than 0.001). This scheme should prove helpful in the control of anticoagulation, particularly in patients likely to be sensitive to warfarin, and should shorten hospital stay.