[Self monitoring of coagulation as practiced abroad and the opportunity for home care in Japan].
Aging is one of the risks of atrial fibrillation (AF). Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) became more common for stroke prevention in patients with AF in 1990s. OAT has a narrow therapeutic range and the response to the standard dose varies widely both between patients and within patients over time. Changes in patient health, lifestyle or diet and other drugs can alter the effectiveness of medication. Prothrombin Time International normalised ratio (PT-INR) within the therapeutic range is considered a key indicator of patient safety in terms of a reduced potential for complications such as haemorrhage or thrombosis. PT-INR monitoring in-home care and patient self-testing was established in the 1990s in Europe. The benefit of this concept was recently proven in a meta-analysis demonstrating the positive outcome concerning thrombotic events as well as bleeding complications.
Oka
Hisato
H
Scientific Affairs of POCT Business Department, Roche Diagnostics KK, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0014.
D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D012648:Self Care