Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis
-
J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · May 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyCluster randomized controlled trial of a simple warfarin maintenance dosing algorithm versus usual care among primary care practices.
Many patients using warfarin are being managed in primary care and typically achieve a lower time in therapeutic range (TTR) for the international normalized ratio (INR) than patients in specialized care. A simple warfarin maintenance dosing tool could assist primary care physicians with improving TTR. We tested whether a simple warfarin maintenance dosing algorithm can improve TTR compared with usual care among Canadian primary care physicians. ⋯ Dosing decisions during the study in the algorithm group were more often in agreement with the algorithm's recommendations than with usual care (81 vs. 91 %; p < 0.0001). Mean study TTR of the algorithm group was not superior to usual care: [72.1 (SE 1.7) vs. 71.4 % (SE 1.5) respectively; p = 0.73]. The simple warfarin maintenance dosing algorithm did not improve TTR compared with usual care among Canadian primary care practices.
-
J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · May 2014
Clinical TrialEvaluation of initial heparin infusion rates for a high-dose protocol.
Unfractionated heparin is widely used as anticoagulant therapy for thrombotic disease. However, determining appropriate dosing by intravenous infusion is highly variable in practice. Multiple standardized protocols have been adopted, including a weight-based nomogram entailing a loading dose of 80 U/kg, followed by an initial infusion rate of 18 U/kg/h. ⋯ Larger body mass index led to increased time to reach therapeutic anticoagulation. This study's results suggest that patients may benefit from receiving an initial heparin infusion rate of 14 U/kg/h over 18 U/kg/h. Decreasing the time to therapeutic aPTT may further help reduce workload from monitoring and dose titrations.