Around one million patients in the UK are estimated to be on oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT), with warfarin being the most common example. OAT is prescribed to patients at high risk of blood clots, including atrial fibrillation, thrombophilia and deep vein thrombosis. However, the dosage must be carefully balanced between a dose which is sufficient to prevent a thrombotic event and one which is too high and may cause bleeding. The efficacy of warfarin is affected by a wide variety of factors including: co-administration of antibiotics or steroids; alcohol; and certain foods such as broccoli (its high vitamin K concentration counteracts the effect of the drug).

Patients on OAT require regular blood tests to ensure that blood clotting time stays within a narrow therapeutic range. The test is known as the international normalized ratio (INR) and the patient’s treatment dosage may be amended based on its result.

Traditionally, patients attend a hospital outpatient clinic for the monitoring of their INR level and subsequent administration of warfarin. However it is recognised that the number of people requiring OAT could rise sharply in the next few years. Currently almost two-thirds of patients with atrial fibrillation remain unidentified. Were they to be found, there could be around 2.5 million people in need of regular monitoring and treatment, placing a great strain on hospital clinics.

Axis-Shield UK has a range of testing devices available that can help PCTs manage patients on warfarin more cost effectively. These include the Thrombotrack system and the INRatio.

To find out how Axis-Shield can help you manage patients on warfarin more effectively, whilst delivering significant cost savings, please call us on 01480 862100 or email: INR@axis-shielduk.com