A Review of Warfarin Dosing and Monitoring

Abstract

Table 1. Recommended therapeutic range for oral anticoagulant therapy* Indication INR Treatment of venous thrombosis 2.0–3.0 Treatment of pulmonary embolism 2.0–3.0 Prophylaxis of venous thrombosis (high-risk surgery) 2.0–3.0 Prevention of systemic embolism 2.0–3.0 Tissue heart valves 2.0–3.0 AMI (to prevent systemic embolism) 2.0–3.0 Valvular heart disease 2.0–3.0 Atrial fibrillation 2.0–3.0 Bileaflet mechanical valve in aortic position 2.0–3.0 Mechanical prosthetic valves (high risk) 2.5–3.5 Systemic recurrent emboli 2.5–3.5 *Adapted from reference 1. If oral anticoagulant therapy is elected to prevent recurrent myocardial infarction, an INR of 2.5 to 3.5 is recommended, consistent with recommendations of the Food and Drug Administration. AMI indicates acute myocardial infarction; INR, international normalized ratio.