warfarin slow start regime

Last edited 04/2019

Background

Patients not requiring rapid anticoagulation can be safely managed using a slow loading regimen which results in therapeutic anticoagulation within 3-4 weeks in the majority of patients. This appears to avoid over-anticoagulation and bleeding associated with rapid loading (1). This regimen is suitable for use in both the secondary and primary care setting and allows for induction of anticoagulation therapy requiring only weekly monitoring (1).

Indications:

For use in patients for whom immediate anticoagulation is not required. These include:

• chronic or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation;
• selected patients with left ventricular thrombus;
• selected patients with mitral stenosis;
• stroke outpatients in sustained AF who have waited 14 days following the acute event with a CT head scan that has excluded haemorrhage;
• selected patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients requiring immediate anticoagulation. These include:

• deep vein thrombosis;
• pulmonary embolus;
• mechanical prosthetic cardiac valve insertion;
• arterial embolus;
• selected patients with atrial fibrillation, left ventricular thrombus, mitral stenosis;
• pulmonary hypertension associated with venous thromboembolic disease.

Aim: To initiate warfarin therapy with a target INR 2.5

Regimen:

• 1. Ensure the patient has no contraindications to warfarin and confirm with a senior member of the medical team that the slow start regimen is appropriate. Generally if a patient is taking aspirin, this should be continued until the INR is therapeutic then STOPPED.
• 2. Ensure baseline bloods (FBC, U&E, LFT, coagulation screen) are satisfactory. If in doubt, discuss with the patient's consultant. If baseline INR>1.2, seek haematology advice.
• 3. Explain to the patient the indication for warfarin treatment and the risks and benefits of it.
• 4. Prescribe 2mg of warfarin daily at 6pm for 1 week. For inpatients prescribe on the warfarin prescription and monitoring chart. Clearly mark the indication: Atrial Fibrillation Slow Start Regimen .
• 5. Repeat INR after 7 days of warfarin therapy.
• 6. Adjust dose as per nomogram
• 7. In patients at discharge should be referred to the anticoagulant clinic using the Anticoagulation Referral Form, accompanied by a copy of the warfarin prescription chart(s)

Reference:

• Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Accessed April 23rd 2019). Warfarin Slow Start Regime.
• NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (October 2017). Suggestions for Drug Monitoring in Adults in Primary Care
• Oates A. Jackson P.R. Austin C.A. Channer K.S. A new regimen for starting warfarin anticoagulation in out-patients. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1998 46 157-61
• Guidelines on oral anticoagulation (warfarin): third edition- 2005 update British Committee for Standards in Haematology www.bcshguidelines.com/pdf/OAC_guidelines_190705.pdf