Warfarin: The End or the End of One Size Fits All Therapy?

Clinical versus fixed warfarin dosing and the impact on quality of anticoagulation (The ClinFix trial)

Different dosing strategies exist to initiate warfarin, most commonly fixed warfarin dosing (FWD), clinical warfarin dosing (CWD), and genetic-guided warfarin dosing (GWD). Landmark trials have shown GWD to be superior when compared to FWD in the EU-PACT trial or CWD in the GIFT trial. COAG trial did not show differences between GWD and CWD. We aim to compare the anticoagulation quality outcomes of CWD and FWD. This is a prospective cohort study with a retrospective comparator. Recruited subjects in the CWD (prospective) arm were initiated on warfarin according to the clinical dosing component of the algorithm published in www.warfarindosing.org. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage time in the therapeutic range (PTTR) from day 3 to 6 till day 28 to 35. The study enrolled 122 and 123 patients in the CWD and FWD, respectively. The PTTR did not differ statistically between CWD and FWD (62.2 ± 26.2% vs. 58 ± 25.4%, p = 0.2). There was also no difference between both arms in the percentage of visits with extreme subtherapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) (<1.5; 15 ± 18.3% vs. 16.8 ± 19.1%, p = 0.44) or extreme supratherapeutic INR (>4; 7.7 ± 14.7% vs. 7.5 ± 12.4%, p = 0.92). We conclude that CWD did not improve the anticoagulation quality parameters compared to the FWD method.

A Randomized Trial Comparing Standard of Care to Bayesian Warfarin Dose Individualization

The quality of warfarin treatment may be improved if management is guided by the use of models based upon pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic theory. A prospective, two-armed, single-blind, randomized controlled trial compared management aided by a web-based dose calculator (NextDose) with standard clinical care. Participants were 240 adults receiving warfarin therapy following cardiac surgery, followed up until the first outpatient appointment at least 3 months after warfarin initiation. We compared the percentage of time spent in the international normalized ratio acceptable range (%TIR) during the first 28 days following warfarin initiation, and %TIR and count of bleeding events over the entire follow-up period. Two hundred thirty-four participants were followed up to day 28 (NextDose: 116 and standard of care: 118), and 228 participants (114 per arm) were followed up to the final study visit. Median %TIR tended to be higher for participants receiving NextDose guided warfarin management during the first 28 days (63 vs. 56%, P = 0.13) and over the entire follow-up period (74 vs. 71%, P = 0.04). The hazard of clinically relevant minor bleeding events was lower for participants in the NextDose arm (hazard ratio: 0.21, P = 0.041). In NextDose, there were 89.3% of proposed doses accepted by prescribers. NextDose guided dose management in cardiac surgery patients requiring warfarin was associated with an increase in %TIR across the full follow-up period and fewer hemorrhagic events. A theory-based, pharmacologically guided approach facilitates higher quality warfarin anticoagulation. An important practical benefit is a reduced requirement for clinical experience of warfarin management.

Optimizing warfarin dosing for patients with atrial fibrillation using machine learning

While novel oral anticoagulants are increasingly used to reduce risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin continue to be used extensively for stroke prevention across the world. While effective in reducing the risk of strokes, the complex pharmacodynamics of warfarin make it difficult to use clinically, with many patients experiencing under- and/or over- anticoagulation. In this study we employed a novel implementation of deep reinforcement learning to provide clinical decision support to optimize time in therapeutic International Normalized Ratio (INR) range. We used a novel semi-Markov decision process formulation of the Batch-Constrained deep Q-learning algorithm to develop a reinforcement learning model to dynamically recommend optimal warfarin dosing to achieve INR of 2.0-3.0 for patients with atrial fibrillation. The model was developed using data from 22,502 patients in the warfarin treated groups of the pivotal randomized clinical trials of edoxaban (ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48), apixaban (ARISTOTLE) and rivaroxaban (ROCKET AF). The model was externally validated on data from 5730 warfarin-treated patients in a fourth trial of dabigatran (RE-LY) using multilevel regression models to estimate the relationship between center-level algorithm consistent dosing, time in therapeutic INR range (TTR), and a composite clinical outcome of stroke, systemic embolism or major hemorrhage. External validation showed a positive association between center-level algorithm-consistent dosing and TTR (R2 = 0.56). Each 10% increase in algorithm-consistent dosing at the center level independently predicted a 6.78% improvement in TTR (95% CI 6.29, 7.28; p < 0.001) and a 11% decrease in the composite clinical outcome (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.81, 1.00; p = 0.015). These results were comparable to those of a rules-based clinical algorithm used for benchmarking, for which each 10% increase in algorithm-consistent dosing independently predicted a 6.10% increase in TTR (95% CI 5.67, 6.54, p < 0.001) and a 10% decrease in the composite outcome (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.83, 0.98, p = 0.018). Our findings suggest that a deep reinforcement learning algorithm can optimize time in therapeutic range for patients taking warfarin. A digital clinical decision support system to promote algorithm-consistent warfarin dosing could optimize time in therapeutic range and improve clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation globally.

Comparison of the prophylactic antithrombotic effect of indobufen and warfarin in patients with nephrotic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The risk of thromboembolic events is elevated in patients with nephrotic syndrome, and warfarin use has been associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Indobufen, a selective cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor, is currently being evaluated for the prevention of thromboembolic events in nephrotic syndrome. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of indobufen with that of warfarin in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicenter, randomized, three-arm, open-label, parallel controlled trial involved a total of 180 adult patients with nephrotic syndrome from four centers in China. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg indobufen (bid), 200 mg indobufen (bid), and 3 mg warfarin (qd) daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoints included thromboembolic and bleeding events, while laboratory results and adverse events constituted secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

No thromboembolic events occurred in the high-/low-dose indobufen and warfarin groups. Moreover, the use of a low dose of indobufen significantly reduced the risk of minor bleeding events compared with warfarin use (2% versus 18%, p < .05). Finally, adverse events were more frequent in warfarin-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that indobufen therapy provided equivalent effects in preventing thromboembolic events compared with warfarin therapy, while low dose of indobufen was associated with a reduced risk of bleeding events, thus it should be recommended for the prevention of thromboembolic events in clinical practice in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR-IPR-17013428.

Comparison of medication adherence to different oral anticoagulants: population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Previous observational studies have yielded conflicting results on whether medication adherence differs between patients receiving warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Importantly, no study has adequately accounted for warfarin dosing being continuously modified based on INR values while dosing of DOACs is fixed. We aimed to compare non-adherence between new users of apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

New users of apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and warfarin from 2014 to 2019 living in the Icelandic capital area were included. Non-adherence was defined as proportion of days covered below 80%. Inverse probability weighting was used to yield balanced study groups and non-adherence was compared using logistic regression. Factors associated with non-adherence were estimated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 1266 patients received apixaban, 247 dabigatran, 1566 rivaroxaban and 768 warfarin. The proportion of patients with non-adherence ranged from 10.5% to 16.7%. Dabigatran was associated with significantly higher odds of non-adherence compared with apixaban (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.04, p<0.001), rivaroxaban (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.89, p=0.005) and warfarin (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.15, p<0.001). The odds of non-adherence were similar for apixaban, rivaroxaban and warfarin. Apart from the type of oral anticoagulants (OACs) used, female sex, hypertension, history of cerebrovascular accident and concomitant statin use were all independently associated with lower odds of non-adherence.

CONCLUSION

Dabigatran was associated with higher odds of non-adherence compared with other OACs. Non-adherence was similar between apixaban, rivaroxaban and warfarin users. Female sex and higher comorbidity were associated with better medication adherence.

Polygenic risk scores: An overview from bench to bedside for personalised medicine

Since the first polygenic risk score (PRS) in 2007, research in this area has progressed significantly. The increasing number of SNPs that have been identified by large scale GWAS analyses has fuelled the development of a myriad of PRSs for a wide variety of diseases and, more recently, to PRSs that potentially identify differential response to specific drugs. PRSs constitute a composite genomic biomarker and potential applications for PRSs in clinical practice encompass risk prediction and disease screening, early diagnosis, prognostication, and drug stratification to improve efficacy or reduce adverse drug reactions. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, no PRSs have yet been adopted into routine clinical practice. Beyond the technical considerations of PRS development, the major challenges that face PRSs include demonstrating clinical utility and circumnavigating the implementation of novel genomic technologies at scale into stretched healthcare systems. In this review, we discuss progress in developing disease susceptibility PRSs across multiple medical specialties, development of pharmacogenomic PRSs, and future directions for the field.

Off-label direct oral anticoagulants dosing in atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism is associated with higher mortality

BACKGROUND

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) off-label use data is lacking. Our study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes in a racially mixed population treated for atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated six months of DOAC prescriptions for AF or VTE treatment. Prescriptions were classified as off-label or appropriate following FDA labeling. The off-label group was sub-classified as under or overdosing.

RESULTS

Of the 1,087 DOAC prescriptions, 67% were for AF. African Americans and Caucasians were equally represented. There were 171 (16%) inappropriate prescriptions, with 106 (62%), being underdosed. The off-label group had a higher 30-day readmissions risk (OR = 1.69, 95% CI:1.11-2.54, p = 0.012) and 1-year all-cause mortality (OR = 1.90, 95% CI:1.02-3.37, p = 0.032). There was no difference in major bleeding (OR = 1.27, 95% CI:0.63-2.37, p = 0.480) or new thromboembolism (OR = 1.27, 95% CI:0.73-2.13, p = 0.369) between the groups. Underdosing carried a higher risk of new thromboembolism (OR = 3.15, 95% CI:1.09-9.15, p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

One in every six patients received off-label DOACs dosing. Off-label use had increased 30-day readmissions and 1-year all-cause mortality. Underdosing was associated with a higher risk of new thromboembolism.

Genetic and Nongenetic Determinants of Variable Warfarin Dose Requirements: A Report from North India

INTRODUCTION

Warfarin is widely used and will continue to be prescribed especially in developing countries due to its low cost. Given the huge patient load requiring anticoagulation, there is a need to develop strategies to optimize warfarin therapy for ensuring safe and effective anticoagulation. In the present work, we aimed at elucidating the association of genetic and nongenetic variables with warfarin dose requirement in patients attending the cardiovascular clinic in a tertiary care center of North India.

METHODS

This was a prospective study conducted over 1 year. Patient demographic and clinical details were captured in customized case record forms. Genotyping was done using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Pharmacogenetic influence of CYP2C9 (rs1799853 and rs1057910) and VKORC1 (rs9923231) variant alleles was studied. The association of genetic and nongenetic factors with warfarin dose was quantified using a stepwise multivariate linear regression model.

RESULTS

Two hundred and forty patients were screened. Data from 82 eligible patients were used for quantifying the association of genetic and nongenetic factors with warfarin dose. A descriptive model based on CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910) and VKORC1 (rs9923231) variant alleles and BMI was developed. The model explains nearly half of the interindividual variation in warfarin dose requirement.

CONCLUSION

The model explains nearly half of the interindividual variation in warfarin dose in patients with atrial fibrillation and or requiring valve replacement.

Replacement of traditional prothrombin time monitoring with the new Fiix prothrombin time increases the efficacy of warfarin without increasing bleeding. A review article

The antithrombotic effect of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) depends on controlled lowering of the activity of factors (F) II and X whereas reductions in FVII and FIX play little role. PT-INR based monitoring, however, is highly influenced by FVII, which has the shortest half-life of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Hence, variability in the anticoagulant effect of VKA may be partly secondary to an inherent flaw of the traditional monitoring test itself. The Fiix prothrombin time (Fiix-PT) is a novel test that is only sensitive to reductions in FII and FX and is intended to stabilize the VKA effect. Two clinical studies have now demonstrated that when warfarin is monitored with the Fiix-PT based normalized ratio (Fiix-NR) instead of PT-INR, anticoagulation is stabilized and less testing and fewer dose adjustments are needed. Furthermore, the relative risk of thromboembolism was reduced by 50-56% in these studies without an increase in major bleeding.

Efficacy and Safety of the Fixed-Dose Versus Variable-Dose of 4-PCC for Vitamin K Antagonist Reversal: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The optimal dosing strategy of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) reversal is unknown.

METHODS

We conducted systematic search on the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Embase databases from inception to December 2020 for clinical studies that compared the fixed-dose versus variable-dose of 4-PCC for VKAs reversal with at least one reported clinical outcome. The treatment effects were expressed as relative ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled by a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Ten studies, including 988 patients, were included. Fixed-dose 4-PCC was associated with lower rate of mortality (RR= 0.65, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.9, p= 0.009), comparable rate of thromboembolic event (TEE) (RR= 1.10, 95%CI 0.44 to 2.80, p= 0.826), and lower goal INR reached (RR= 0.87, 95%CI 0.78 to 0.96, p= 0.007). Less 4-PCC cumulative dose, shorter duration of order-to-needle time, similar hospital length of stay, the comparable time required for INR reversal, higher post-4-PCC INR, and a higher need for additional dose were observed in fixed-dose.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a fixed-dose of 4-PCC may be considered an effective and safe dosing strategy for VKAs reversal in various clinical situations. However, further well-designed, controlled studies should be conducted focusing on clinical outcomes to determine the optimal dose of 4-PCC for VKAs reversal.

The Interface of Therapeutics and Genomics in Cardiovascular Medicine

Pharmacogenomics has a burgeoning role in cardiovascular medicine, from warfarin dosing to antiplatelet choice, with recent developments in sequencing bringing the promise of personalised medicine ever closer to the bedside. Further scientific evidence, real-world clinical trials, and economic modelling are needed to fully realise this potential. Additionally, tools such as polygenic risk scores, and results from Mendelian randomisation analyses, are only in the early stages of clinical translation and merit further investigation. Genetically targeted rational drug design has a strong evidence base and, due to the nature of genetic data, academia, direct-to-consumer companies, healthcare systems, and industry may meet in an unprecedented manner. Data sharing navigation may prove problematic. The present manuscript addresses these issues and concludes a need for further guidance to be provided to prescribers by professional bodies to aid in the consideration of such complexities and guide translation of scientific knowledge to personalised clinical action, thereby striving to improve patient care. Additionally, technologic infrastructure equipped to handle such large complex data must be adapted to pharmacogenomics and made user friendly for prescribers and patients alike.

Warfarin dosing algorithms: A systematic review

Aims

Numerous algorithms have been developed to guide warfarin dosing and improve clinical outcomes. We reviewed the algorithms available for various populations and the covariates, performances and risk of bias of these algorithms.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE up to 20 May 2020 and selected studies describing the development, external validation or clinical utility of a multivariable warfarin dosing algorithm. Two investigators conducted data extraction and quality assessment.

Results

Of 10 035 screened records, 266 articles were included in the review, describing the development of 433 dosing algorithms, 481 external validations and 52 clinical utility assessments. Most developed algorithms were for dose initiation (86%), developed by multiple linear regression (65%) and mostly applicable to Asians (49%) or Whites (43%). The most common demographic/clinical/environmental covariates were age (included in 401 algorithms), concomitant medications (270 algorithms) and weight (229 algorithms) while CYP2C9 (329 algorithms), VKORC1 (319 algorithms) and CYP4F2 (92 algorithms) variants were the most common genetic covariates. Only 26% and 7% algorithms were externally validated and evaluated for clinical utility, respectively, with <2% of algorithm developments and external validations being rated as having a low risk of bias.

Conclusion

Most warfarin dosing algorithms have been developed in Asians and Whites and may not be applicable to under‐served populations. Few algorithms have been externally validated, assessed for clinical utility, and/or have a low risk of bias which makes them unreliable for clinical use. Algorithm development and assessment should follow current methodological recommendations to improve reliability and applicability, and under‐represented populations should be prioritized.

Pharmacogenomics for Primary Care: An Overview

Most of the prescribing and dispensing of medicines happens in primary care. Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study and clinical application of the role of genetic variation on drug response. Mounting evidence suggests PGx can improve the safety and/or efficacy of several medications commonly prescribed in primary care. However, implementation of PGx has generally been limited to a relatively few academic hospital centres, with little adoption in primary care. Despite this, many primary healthcare providers are optimistic about the role of PGx in their future practice. The increasing prevalence of direct-to-consumer genetic testing and primary care PGx studies herald the plausible gradual introduction of PGx into primary care and highlight the changes needed for optimal translation. In this article, the potential utility of PGx in primary care will be explored and on-going barriers to implementation discussed. The evidence base of several drug-gene pairs relevant to primary care will be outlined with a focus on antidepressants, codeine and tramadol, statins, clopidogrel, warfarin, metoprolol and allopurinol. This review is intended to provide both a general introduction to PGx with a more in-depth overview of elements relevant to primary care.

Pharmacogenetic-Guided Algorithm to Improve Daily Dose of Warfarin in Elder Han-Chinese Population

Objectives

To verify the accuracy of the International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium (IWPC) algorithm, identify the effects of genetic and clinical factors on warfarin stable dose, and to establish a new warfarin stable dose prediction algorithm for the elderly Han-Chinese population under the guidance of pharmacogenetics.

Methods

According to the inclusion criteria, 544 non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients taking warfarin for anticoagulation treatment were enrolled. Data information of three groups including the whole population, people under 65 years old and over 65 years old were substituted into the IWPC algorithm respectively to verify its accuracy. The basic data and clinical information of 360 elderly people were collected for statistical analysis and the genotypes of VKORC1-G1639A and CYP2C9 were detected by Sanger sequencing. The new algorithm of the elder pharmacogenetics warfarin dosing was obtained by stepwise multiple regression. The determination coefficient (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), and the proportion of the predicted value within the true value range of ±20%(20%-p) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the IWPC algorithm and the new algorithm.

Results

Among the three different age groups, the warfarin stable dose predictive accuracy of IWPC algorithm was the lowest in the elderly patients above 65-year-old. In this study, the important factors influencing the stable dose of warfarin in the elderly Han-Chinese were height, weight, body surface area, serum creatinine level, amiodarone usage, CYP2C9 (*1*2, *1*3), and VKORC1 (GG/GA) genotypes. By means of stepwise multiple regression analysis, we established a new elder warfarin dosing algorithm (R²=0.3714) containing height, creatinine, amiodarone usage, CYP2C9 (*1*2 or *1*3), and VKORC1 (GA or GG) genotypes. The prediction accuracy and clinical availability of the Elderly algorithm was significantly better than that of IWPC algorithm verified by RMSE, R2, and (20%-p) methods.

Conclusions

The IWPC model may not be suitable for the elder Han-Chinese population. Polymorphism of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 obviously affected warfarin stable dose of the elder Han-Chinese. Combination of genetic data with demographic and clinical factors could help to better improve warfarin doses in the elder Han-Chinese population.

Performance of the LumiraDx Platform INR Test in an Anticoagulation Clinic Point-of-Care Setting Compared With an Established Laboratory Reference Method

Vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, have a narrow therapeutic window; patients on these therapies therefore require regular international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring to maintain optimal dosing. This involves periodic checks and laboratory testing using venepuncture, which are often perceived as a burden. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and precision of the LumiraDx INR Test, a new point-of-care in vitro diagnostic platform, in an anticoagulation clinic setting. In this observational, cross-sectional study, precision of the LumiraDx INR Test was assessed using paired replicate samples (n = 366) and 3 test strip lots. Accuracy was determined by comparing capillary blood INR, ascertained by the LumiraDx INR Test, with venous plasma INR, measured by the laboratory reference instrument, the IL ACL ELITE Pro. Furthermore, INR was assessed across a range of hematocrit (25%-55%). In addition, feedback was collected from health-care professionals via a self-completed questionnaire. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03682419). The precision (% coefficient of variation) of the LumiraDx INR Test was <4 when samples were applied by direct application or via a capillary transfer pipette, as well as between test strip lots. Accuracy of the LumiraDx INR Test, across the INR range of 0.8 to 7.5, was confirmed by a strong correlation of 0.965 (95% confidence interval: 0.959-0.970) when compared with the IL ACL ELITE Pro, which was maintained across the hematocrit range. Feedback from health-care professionals indicated that the instructions given by the system were easy to follow. In conclusion, the strong agreement between the LumiraDx Platform INR point-of-care test and the IL ACL ELITE Pro laboratory reference system, as well as between the different application methods and test lots, indicates that it can provide a rapid, accurate, and reliable INR analysis.

Decrease in Efficacy of Warfarin as a Result of Drug-Drug Interaction (Case Report)

The one of the main aims in modern clinical pharmacology is to provide safe and effective therapy considering a frequent administration of several drugs having different drug-drug interactions. Warfarin belongs to the number of popular anticoagulants which along with its efficiency not infrequently alters anticoagulant characteristics when administered with other drugs and food products. A case of a decrease in the efficacy of warfarin in a patient with mitral stenosis while taking a combined choleretic drug is presented in the article. The components of this choleretic drug (dry animal bile, dry garlic extract, dry nettle extract, activated charcoal) could impair the absorption of warfarin, increase intestinal absorption of vitamin K, and have a negative effect on the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Management of patients receiving anticoagulants should be performed in accordance with clinical recommendations. Prescription of drugs, including multicomponent ones, without proven efficacy, for such patients should be considering the potential drug interaction.

Newly Developed Prodrugs and Prodrugs in Development; an Insight of the Recent Years

BACKGROUND

The design and development of prodrugs is the most common and effective strategy to overcome pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drawbacks of active drugs. A respected number of prodrugs have been reached the drugs market throughout history and the recent years have witnessed a significant increase in the use of prodrugs as a replacement of their parent drugs for an efficient treatment of various ailment.

METHODS

A Scan conducted to find recent approved prodrugs and prodrugs in development.

RESULTS

Selected prodrugs were reported and categorized in accordance to their target systems.

CONCLUSIONS

the prodrug approach has shown many successes and still remains a viable and effective approach to deliver new active agents. This conclusion is supported by the recent approved prodrugs and the scan of clinical trials conducted between 2013-2018.

Implementation of genotype-guided dosing of warfarin with point-of-care genetic testing in three UK clinics: a matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Warfarin is a widely used oral anticoagulant. Determining the correct dose required to maintain the international normalised ratio (INR) within a therapeutic range can be challenging. In a previous trial, we showed that a dosing algorithm incorporating point-of-care genotyping information ('POCT-GGD' approach) led to improved anticoagulation control. To determine whether this approach could translate into clinical practice, we undertook an implementation project using a matched cohort design.

METHODS

At three clinics (implementation group; n = 119), initial doses were calculated using the POCT-GGD approach; at another three matched clinics (control group; n = 93), patients were dosed according to the clinic's routine practice. We also utilised data on 640 patients obtained from routinely collected data at comparable clinics. Primary outcome was percentage time in target INR range. Patients and staff from the implementation group also provided questionnaire feedback on POCT-GGD.

RESULTS

Mean percentage time in INR target range was 55.25% in the control group and 62.74% in the implementation group; therefore, 7.49% (95% CI 3.41-11.57%) higher in the implementation group (p = 0.0004). Overall, patients and staff viewed POCT-GGD positively, suggesting minor adjustments to allow smooth implementation into practice.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first demonstration of the implementation of genotype-guided dosing, we show that warfarin dosing determined using an algorithm incorporating genetic and clinical factors can be implemented smoothly into clinic, to ensure target INR range is reached sooner and maintained. The findings are like our previous randomised controlled trial, providing an alternative method for improving the risk-benefit of warfarin use in daily practice.