Background:  The exact monitoring of the therapeutic-range international normalized ratio (INR) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is an important aim to reduce the risk of thrombosis or bleeding complications. Service providers offer a telemedical anticoagulation service (CS).

Methods:  We compared LVAD patients using the CS ( = 15) to those who received regular medical care (RMC;  = 15) to investigate if telemedicine supervision increased the INR-specific time in the therapeutic range (TTR) during anticoagulation. All patients received self-management training for phenprocoumon medication according to their INR value. INR values were documented for 12 months. A survey (scale: 1 = not satisfied and 10 = very satisfied) was used to determine patient's satisfaction and psychological well-being.

Results:  A total of 1,798 INR measurements were analyzed. The TTR was higher in patients undergoing RMC (78.1 ± 14.3%) compared with that in patients using the CS (58.3 ± 28.0%,  = 0.03). The patient's satisfaction with the coagulation setting at the beginning of the study (RMC: 6.7 ± 3.1, CS: 7.2 ± 3.0,  = 0.74) and psychological wellbeing (RMC: 6.5 ± 1.9, CS: 6.5 ± 2.7,  = 0.97) were comparable between both groups.

Conclusion:  We found that INR self-management is superior regarding the efficiency of post-LVAD anticoagulation therapy when compared with telemedical (CS)-based INR management in a small study cohort. Intensive training by experienced staff was able to replace CS.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1719153DOI Listing

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