Volume 29, Number 2, 171-181, DOI: 10.1007/s11239-009-0412-5

Warfarin anticoagulation reversal: management of the asymptomatic and bleeding patient

Michael Makris, Joost J. van Veen and Rhona Maclean

From the issue entitled "Proceedings of the 10th National Conference on Anticoagulant Therapy. Sponsored by the Anticoagulation Forum; Guest Editor: David Garcia, MD"

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Abstract

The management of patients with supra-therapeutic INR in a common clinical problem. The risk of bleeding is influenced by the intensity, variability and duration of anticoagulation, patient age, presence of co-morbidities and concomitant drug therapy. For the asymptomatic patient, warfarin discontinuation is all that is usually required but for individuals at high risk of bleeding and those with INR > 10, oral vitamin K administration is recommended. In the presence of major bleeding, treatment with intravenous vitamin K and prothrombin complex concentrate is the most effective therapy.

Keywords  Anticoagulation reversal - Warfarin - Hemorrhage - Vitamin K - Prothrombin complex concentrate - Recombinant factor VIIa

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