Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms
Authors: Robert J. DiDomenico
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Letters16 March 2004Randomized Trial of Warfarin NomogramsRobert J. DiDomenico, PharmDRobert J. DiDomenico, PharmDFrom University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-140-6-200403160-00026 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:The debate rages on! Does “loading” patients with warfarin achieve the therapeutic goal more quickly than starting with a lower dose that approximates a typical maintenance dose? Previous studies suggested that starting with a lower daily dose (5 mg) rather than a loading dose (10 mg) allows more patients to achieve the target INR of 2.0 to 3.0 while avoiding the excessive anticoagulation (INR > 3.0) commonly seen with warfarin loading doses (1, 2). The American College of Chest Physicians recommends starting with an average daily maintenance dose of 5 mg (3). However, Kovacs and colleagues (4) ...References1. Harrison L, Johnston M, Massicotte MP, Crowther M, Moffat K, Hirsh J. Comparison of 5-mg and 10-mg loading doses in initiation of warfarin therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1997;126:133-6. [PMID: 9005747] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Crowther MA, Ginsberg JB, Kearon C, Harrison L, Johnson J, Massicotte MP, et al . A randomized trial comparing 5-mg and 10-mg warfarin loading doses. Arch Intern Med. 1999;159:46-8. [PMID: 9892329] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Ansell J, Hirsh J, Dalen J, Bussey H, Anderson D, Poller L, et al . Managing oral anticoagulant therapy. Chest. 2001;119:22S-38S. [PMID: 11157641] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Kovacs MJ, Rodger M, Anderson DR, Morrow B, Kells G, Kovacs J, et al . Comparison of 10-mg and 5-mg warfarin initiation nomograms together with low-molecular-weight heparin for outpatient treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138:714-9. [PMID: 12729425] LinkGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Robert J. DiDomenico, PharmDAffiliations: From University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoComparison of 5-mg and 10-mg Loading Doses in Initiation of Warfarin Therapy Linda Harrison , Marilyn Johnston , M. Patricia Massicotte , Mark Crowther , Karen Moffat , and Jack Hirsh Comparison of 10-mg and 5-mg Warfarin Initiation Nomograms Together with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Outpatient Treatment of Acute Venous Thromboembolism Michael J. Kovacs , Marc Rodger , David R. Anderson , Beverly Morrow , Gertrude Kells , Judy Kovacs , Eleanor Boyle , and Philip S. Wells Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Mark A. Crowther , Linda Harrison , and Jack Hirsh Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Theodore E. Warkentin Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Kenneth L. McCall Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Michael J. Kovacs and Philip S. Wells Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Gregory M. Peterson and Shane L. Jackson Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Richard White and William Dager Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Robert Zeller Randomized Trial of Warfarin Nomograms Brian F. Gage Metrics 16 March 2004Volume 140, Issue 6Page: 489-490KeywordsAntibioticsDrug interactionsDrugsInternational normalized ratioRandomized trialsThorax ePublished: 16 March 2004 Issue Published: 16 March 2004 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2004 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...