[Comment] Genetics of warfarin dosing—one polymorphism at a time

Few drugs define a narrow therapeutic index better than warfarin. With a typical therapeutic international normalised ratio (INR) of 2·0–3·0 for most indications (2·5–3·5 for mechanical heart valves), clinicians are challenged to define and implement dosing regimens that achieve therapeutic anticoagulation. The stakes could hardly be higher: too low a dose places the patient at an increased risk of a life-altering ischaemic event (ie, stroke or pulmonary embolism); and too high a dose can lead to a fatal cerebral or gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Source: LANCET - August 30, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Mark J Alberts Tags: Comment Source Type: research