Trends in anticoagulation management services following incorporation of direct oral anticoagulants at a large academic medical center.

The introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to the market has expanded anticoagulation options for outpatient use. Routine evaluation by health care professionals is recommended as it is with warfarin, therefore requiring adjustments in practices of anticoagulation management services (AMS). This study aims to describe trends that occurred following the incorporation of DOACs into AMS at a large academic medical center.

INR Management of an Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patient With Point-of-Care INR Testing.

Management of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome on warfarin therapy can be challenging. The international normalized ratio (INR) of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome can be falsely elevated. This elevation is thought to be reflective of the reaction of the antiphospholipid antibody with the thromboplastin used to measure the protime.

Initiation of exemestane in two warfarin-treated patients leading to elevation and variability of INR.

Aromatase inhibitors are sometimes chosen for adjuvant therapy in post-menopausal breast cancer patients with a history of venous thromboembolism over an antiestrogen due to the lower risk of venous thromboembolism associated with aromatase inhibitors compared to antiestrogens. We report two cases where patients on warfarin therapy had an increase in their international normalized ratio with the initiation of exemestane therapy. Initially, the patients also showed international normalized ratio variability possibly due to variable absorption of exemestane.