Warfarin: Balancing the benefits and harms

Abstract

The benefits of warfarin therapy are substantial in the prevention of arterial and venous thrombosis, and in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke related to non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation. The major risk of warfarin is bleeding, which can cause significant morbidity or mortality. If the bleeding risk is high then alternatives to therapeutic doses of warfarin may be considered, although their efficacy may be suboptimal and may not eliminate the risk of bleeding. Constantly review the patient's circumstances in order to weigh up the benefits and harms of treatment with warfarin.