Getting the INR right is essential for patients with mechanical heart valves and on warfarin

+Print Archive
Practice

Getting the INR right is essential for patients with mechanical heart valves and on warfarin

Chris Ellis

Chris Ellis

Doctor love

Patients with mechanical heart valves are at risk of thromboembolic complications and require lifelong anticoagulation. Cardiologist Chris Ellis discusses the dire consequences of targeting the wrong INR in a patient with a mitral valve replacement treated with warfarin

A 52-year-old part-time hospital cleaner comes to meet you for the first time. She had been discharged from hospital the day before with instructions