title: Anticoagulation monitoring.
abstract: This article reviews the commonly used anticoagulants (warfarin and heparin) and associated recommended laboratory testing. Emphasis is on the various modes of International Normalized Ratio testing and associated variability (clinical laboratory, point of care, patient self-testing). Unfractionated heparin and well-recognized coagulation testing issues are reviewed. The newer anticoagulants (heparin analogs, direct factor Xa inhibitors, and direct thrombin inhibitors) and various applied coagulation laboratory testing and related issues are also discussed.
authors: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Laboratory Room 3408, Alameda County Medical Center/Highland General Hospital, 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland, CA 94602, USA. vang@acmedctr.org
authors: Valerie L
authors: VL
authors: Ng
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006493:Heparin / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D014859:Warfarin / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin