Experts pose new standard for stroke prevention
Experts pose new standard for stroke prevention
Leading organizations involved in promulgating new guidelines for stroke prevention have endorsed regularly scheduled measurement of the international normalized ratio (INR) as a new standard for measuring warfarin therapy. The organizations, including the American Heart Association, National Stroke Association, Ameri-can Geriatrics Society, and American Society of Internal Medicine, say recent research reveals that prothrombin time ratio is no longer a safe or adequate measurement for monitoring warfarin therapy. Warfarin is a widely used anticoagulant that reduces the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart beat.
Safe and effective use of warfarin requires periodic measurement of the INR, they say. The INR system is a sophisticated monitoring measurement that reduces variations in laboratory reporting and prevents complications associated with anticoagulations.
[Editor’s note: For more information on the INR standard, contact the American Health Quality Association at (202) 331-5790.]
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.