title: Vitamin K antagonists--current concepts and challenges.
abstract: Vitamin K antagtonists (VKAs) have, for decades, been the corner-stone of anticoagulation in the outpatient setting. While the long half life makes once daily administration practical, close monitoring of VKA effect is necessary because these medicines have a narrow therapeutic index. Despite inter-individual variations in response to VKA doses, the increasing availability of specialized anticoagulation monitoring systems, along with a better understanding of potential drug and dietary interactions, has made the use of VKAs safer and less burdensome. In the future, newer classes of oral anticoagulants and genomic-based dosing strategies may further expand or improve the management options for many patients at risk for thromboembolism.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: Hayan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moualla
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014812:Vitamin K; D014859:Warfarin