Warfarin Patient Self-Monitoring

Summary

Atrial Fibrillation is a heart condition in which people are treated with blood thinners such as warfarin to decrease the risk of stroke. Large studies have shown that when patients adjust their own dose of warfarin, similar to insulin, results are better. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether implementing this method of warfarin management is beneficial in a Canadian primary care clinic. Patients will be educated on how to adjust their own warfarin doses when necessary using simple charts. The success of patient self management will be compared against management by a physician.

Timeline

Start

2009-07

Primary completion

2010-03

Completion

2010-03

Publications

• Grunau BE, Wiens MO, Harder KK. Patient self-management of warfarin therapy: pragmatic feasibility study in Canadian primary care. Can Fam Physician. 2011 Aug;57(8):e292-8.

Drugs

Indications