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During the Covid-19 pandemic, four patients were admitted in a healthcare center. They were treated by vitamin K antagonists (VKA). We observed a substantially increased of their International Normalized Ratio (INR) The mean age of patients was 90 (± 8). All had different usual long-term therapy treatments but had fixed doses of VKA to reach a stable INR. No change of background treatment were realized. One patient presented cough whereas the three others were asymptomatic. In the pandemic context, a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 was realized for each patients. RT-PCR were all positives and were associated with a substantially increased INR. Mr H. was admitted with an INR of 2.25 and it increased to 5.93 the day after RT-PCR positivity. The VKA treatment was stopped but the INR one day after was 7.89. Mrs J. presented INR value from 1.96 to 4.58, 10 days later. PCR have been realized and VKA treatment was stopped: INR still increased up to 5.85. The INR of Mr R. increased from 1.82 to 8.05, 24 h after positive PCR results. Mrs F. presented a gradually increase of INR from 1.5 to 3.36, 72 h after PCR results three days after VKA discontinuation. Finally, this study suggest a link between the Covid-19 infection and an increased INR. It has been established that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces hypercoagulability in severe forms. Inversely, these four cases show a hemorrhagic risk with the elevation of the INR. It could have a risk of overdose when patients treated with VKA and positive to Covid-19. This raises the question of discontinuing VKA and substituting them with another anticoagulant, or performing INR controls more frequently in the context of Covid-19. Moreover, an unexpected increase of INR could lead to realize a Covid-19 RT-PCR in this pandemic context.

The aim of our study was to compare the time spent within the target INR or Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) of patients treated with fluindione to that of patients treated with warfarin for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and followed in general practice, with the hypothesis of a better TTR with warfarin, which is the VKA most commonly prescribed in France.Liberal nurses and general practitioners working in the Auvergne region recruited patients treated with fluindione or warfarin for NVAF. Patients' INRs (International Normalized Ratios) were recorded by medical analysis laboratories for 6 months. The primary endpoint was TTR, the secondary endpoint the number of hemorrhagic and/or thromboembolic events.Of the 342 participants with a mean age of 75.3 ± 9.8 years, 239 (70%) were treated with fluindione and 103 (30%) with warfarin. The mean number of INRs achieved per patient was 9.2 ± 4.0 in the fluindione group and 9.3 ± 4.0 in the warfarin group (p=0.73). The median TTR of fluindione was 81.9% [63.5; 94.1] and that of warfarin was 81.3% [65.6; 92.6] (p=0.98). Twenty-eight of 263 patients reported hemorrhage (10.6%) and 4 reported thromboembolic events (0.8%), with no significant difference between the groups.The TTRs of patients treated for NVAF with fluindione versus warfarin do not differ significantly over an observation period of 6 consecutive months in a patient population comparable to that of the publications in this field. However, these TTRs are significantly higher than those reported in the literature, with no difference between the two treatments. The TTRs of patients treated for VANF with fluindione versus warfarin do not differ significantly over a 6-month observation period in a patient population comparable to that of the publications in this indication.

The main objective of our study was to carry out a statement of the knowledge and the management of the VKA by the General Practitioners (GPs) of Normandy and to evaluate their experience of the use of DOA with a questionnaire; 471 of the 1951 GPs requested responded. When the INR was stable in a patient affected with atrial fibrillation, the GPs participating dosed it again 4 weeks later, modified the dosage when the INR was below 1.9 or upper 3.2. The risk of stroke was overestimated to 6.2% per year with fluindione and to 31.5% without curative anticoagulation. The mean TTR was overstated to 84%. When the INR was at 4.4, the risk of serious cerebral bleeding was overestimated at 12.4%. 80.26% of the GPs skipped the next dose and 11.25% controlled the INR the day after. So, few GPs used the HAS protocol. After the INR decreased to 3.6, the GPs diminished the dose of 14.62%. 70% of the GPs, responded using only their experience for AVK management. Fluindione was the most to use VKA by 52.7% of them although 24.42% thought it was the most effective. The majority of GPs thought the DOA were a least as effective than the VKA, without being responsible of more bleeding (77.92%) and improved the quality of life of the patients (88.54%). Although the DOA's prescriptions increase, the improvement of the VKA management have to stay a concern for the GPs.

AVK could be prescribed in elderly patients over 75 years for the prevention of thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to study the quality of the anticoagulation balance by AVK and its determinants. Inclusion of all patients ≥ 75 years of age treated with AVK for an AF hospitalized in the acute geriatric department of the University hospital of Dijon. The balance of the AVK treatment was determined by the input INR and the calculation of the TTR. The last four INRs prior to admission were retrospectively collected for its calculation. Each patient had a standardized geriatric evaluation (EGS): lifestyle, MMSE, nutritional status (albumin), polypathology (Charlson), level of dependence (ADL-IADL). Bleeding complication were collected. 155 patients aged over 75 years (87±5.6 years, 88 women and 67 men) were included. The mean TTR was 55.4±31.2%. Only 46% of patients had a correct TTR (≥ 75%). The balance was significantly worse in women than in men (49.3±29.5 vs 60.1±31.8%; p=0.0326), and in case of haematological pathology (41.7±27.1 vs 57.2± 9.8; p=0.047) but better with high BMI (r=0.416, p=0.001). No EGS parameters were associated with the quality of anticoagulation. The control of AVK therapy is insufficient in geriatric elderly subjects. No modifiable explicative geriatric factor has been identified. If AVK remains a therapeutic option, direct oral anticoaulants should be considered as the first choice.

To assess the quality of long-term anticoagulation therapy with antivitamin-K in patients with atrial fibrillation by measuring the TTR and to determine the factors associated with a good TTR.This is an observational study conducted over a period of three years (from January 2013 until December 2015) in the outpatient clinic of cardiology of Farhat Hached hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Pre-established individual plugs were used for data collection. The data analysis was performed using the SPSS Software, version 20.Overall, 200 patients were eligible. Half of the patients did not know the risks of AVK and 29.1% were unaware of their interest. The average TTR was 57.3±18.2%. Good control of anticoagulation was obtained in 24.5% of patients. Those with a≥70% were more autonomous, observant, of urban origin, living in Sousse and Kairouan, with good knowledge about AVK and having a small left atrium. The factors associated negatively with TTR were hypertension, diabetes, old AF, hematological diseases, high number of medications taken daily and the presence of mitral insufficiency, mitral valve replacement, a tricuspid insufficiency or a tricuspid plasty.The quality of AVK anticoagulation in AF patients is insufficient. Improving this indicator would reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with AVK treatment.

Point of care testing (POCT) must comply with regulatory requirements according to standard EN ISO 22870, which identify biologists as responsible for POCT. INR for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) monitoring is a test frequently performed in haemostasis laboratories. Bedside INR is useful in emergency room, in particular in case of VKAs overdosage but also for specific populations of patients like paediatrics or geriatrics. INR POCT devices are widely used at home by the patients for self-testing, but their use in the hospital by the clinical staff for bedside measurement is growing, with devices which now comply with standard for POCT accreditation for hospital use. The majority of point of care devices for INR monitoring has shown a good precision and accuracy with results similar to those obtained in laboratory. With the aim to help the multidisciplinary groups for POCT supervision, the medical departments and the biologists to be in accordance with the standard, we present the guidelines of the GFHT (Groupe francais d'etude sur l'hemostase et la thrombose, subcommittee "CEC et biologie delocalisee") for the certification of POCT INR. These guidelines are based on the SFBC guidelines for the certification of POCT and on the analysis of the literature to ascertain the justification of clinical need and assess the analytical performance of main analysers used in France, as well as on a survey conducted with biologists.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are drugs with a major risk of side effect. Guidelines have been published in 2008 by the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS) concerning the management of an excessively elevated INR ratio. Our research aimed to assess physicians' adherence to those guidelines.We realized a retrospective, multicentric study. One hundred and ten cases of excessively elevated INR ratio were identified and analyzed.Overall physicians adherence was 58%. However, patients with the most elevated INR, i.e., INR6, were treated according to guidelines in only 33% of the cases. The use of vitamin K was the major source of mistakes. The rate of mortality was 20%.Adherence to HAS guidelines seems finally limited. It is necessary to put in place procedures to secure the behavior of physicians.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are difficult to use because of a narrow therapeutic index and of a marked inter- and intra-individual variability among patients in the required dosage. This drug may interact with many other drugs and same with certain food compounds. We report the case of potential interaction between soy lecithin and Vitamin K antagonists in a 46 years-old woman. Subtherapeutic INR values were detected despite the increase gradually in dose and replacing acenocoumarol by fluindione. An enquiry of pharmacovigilance was conducted found the consumption of soy lecithin capsules. Fifteen days after its stopping, the INR values have really increased. Clinicians should think to the possibility of interaction between oral anticoagulants and food supplement that is increasingly used.

Despite the increasing utilization of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) prescriptions, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) remain the treatment of choice for treating and preventing thromboembolic events. The morbidity and mortality of VKAs are partly due to the difficulty of keeping the patient within the therapeutic range. For patients treated by VKA, time in therapeutic range (TTR) is a quality parameter of treatment, widely used in clinical trials but rarely by prescribers. It is well established that its use correlates with the risk of hemorrhage, thrombosis or mortality. We studied this parameter in a cohort of patients to evaluate the quality of their therapeutic follow-up and tried to identify risk factors for low TTR.The study was made in collaboration with LaboSud Oc Biologie for a duration of 4 months. It included 3387 patients representing 2,4029 INR. We calculated the patients' TTR. The laboratory transmitted to us the sex and age of each patient and the VKA molecule used, the therapeutic range and the specialty of the prescriber. We then analyzed the odds ratio associated with these different factors.The mean TTR was 68%, close to the TTR recommended by scientific societies. Patient's sex was the only statistically correlated factor, with a worse equilibrium in females taking VKAs (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.39, P=0.00552). Many factors usually correlated with poor equilibrium under VKA have not been studied due to lack of information.Given the context of economic restriction and the TTR of our cohort close to the recommended 70%, there would be no benefit in terms of safety to prefer DOAC for the patients involved in this study. Regular monitoring of the individual patient's as well as the cohort's TTR should optimize the management of patients receiving VKAs.

Les antivitamines K (AVK) sont largement utilisées dans la prévention et le traitement curatif des accidents thromboemboliques. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs des surdosages en AVK et d’en déterminer les facteurs hémorragiques. Il s’agit d’une étude descriptive, transversale monocentrique réalisée à l’Hôpital Principal de Dakar. Tous les patients qui présentaient un INR supérieur à 5 étaient inclus. Etaient étudiés le sexe, l’âge du patient, l’AVK utilisé, l’ancienneté de sa prise, les indications, la valeur de l’INR, les médicaments associés, la présence d’hémorragie, la prise en charge immédiate et l’évolution. Nous avons inclus 154 patients. L’acénocoumarol était l’AVK le plus prescrit. Le sexe ratio était en faveur des femmes. L’âge moyen était de 63 ans. Le surdosage était asymptomatique chez 43% des patients. Les hémorragies étaient représentées principalement par des gingivorragies, épistaxis. Des hémorragies majeures étaient présentes chez 8,6% des patients représentées par des mélénas chez 6 patients (3,9%), un hématome musculaire profond chez 2 patients (1,3%) et des hématomes cérébraux intra-parenchymateux chez 2 autres. Deux patients présentaient un collapsus cardiovasculaire avec déglobulisation. Une prise d’AINS était notée chez 21% des patients. Les AVK ont été transitoirement arrêtés chez tous les patients. La mortalité était de 2% par hémorragie intracrânienne. La réduction des surdosages aux AVK passe par une maitrise par le personnel soignant des facteurs de surdosage et par bonne éducation thérapeutique des patients.

Atrial fibrillation can expose to thrombo-embolic complications. Many biomarkers have been tested to refine the stratification of thrombo-embolic risk. The study aim was to assess the interest of the d-dimer testing in this pathology. We conducted a prospective observational study including 50 cases and 19 controls, enrolled at the cardiology department of the Mongi Slim Hospital, from July to November 2012. The d-dimer assay was performed on mini-VIDAS(®) and analyzed according to clinical, echocardiographic and biological data. The mean age of patients was 61.8±10.6years. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2.58±1.31. The average of D-dimer levels was 590±506ng/ml in patients and 225.26±112.95ng/ml in controls (P=0.02). No significant difference has been found between the d-dimer level and age, sex, type and etiology of atrial fibrillation, the CHA2DS2-VASc score, the left atrial surface. Among patients on acenocoumarol, d-dimer levels was significantly higher in patients with an INR2 compared to those with an INR≥2 (P=0.004). We identified a positive d-dimer threshold (300ng/ml) in patients distinguishing them significantly with controls (P0.001). In conclusion, the measurement of d-dimers could help clinicians to identify patients with atrial fibrillation having an increased coagulability and, therefore, an increased thrombo-embolic risk. It could be complementary to the determination of INR in monitoring anticoagulation therapy: d-dimers level refines the thrombo-embolic risk and INR measurement assesses the level of anticoagulation and the bleeding risk.

Given the growing number of patients on antithrombotic therapy we are increasingly confronted with the management of this therapy before, during and after vitreoretinal surgery. In the absence of a consensus, the decision to withdraw antithrombotic therapy is based on the cardiovascular thromboembolism risk versus the theoretical risk of bleeding if the antithrombotic treatment is continued. As suggested by the literature, antiplatelet therapy (acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel) may be safely continued for vitreoretinal surgery, including retinal detachment repair. However, the risk/benefit ratio for patients being treated with two antiplatelet therapies is unknown. It appears that an International Normalized Ratio (INR) less than 3 for patients treated with anticoagulant therapy does not increase the perioperative risk of ocular bleeding. This risk has not been evaluated in patients treated by new antithrombotic therapies (prasugrel, ticagrelor as antiplatelet medication, or dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban as anticoagulant therapy), and there is a need to study it further.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA), the most widely prescribed oral anticoagulant therapy, represent a major public health problem by the adverse events related to their use. The aim of this study was to clarify the level of knowledge that patients have about the management of their oral anticoagulant treatment.This was a descriptive cross-sectional study performed at Yalgado Ouedraogo university Hospital, over a period of three months starting from March 1st to May 31st 2012. A questionnaire was given to patients receiving VKA treatment for at least a month.Seventy patients were enrolled in the study of which 30 men. The median age was 49±16 years. Heart disease and venous thromboembolic disease justifying the introduction of VKA treatment were found respectively in 58.6 and 41.4% of the cases. The name of the VKA and the exact reason for the treatment were known respectively in 91.4 and 61.7% of the case. More than half of patients (68.6%) knew that the VKA makes blood more fluid. Forty-six patients (65.7%) cited INR as biological monitoring of treatment but only 28 patients (40%) were aware of INR target values. The majority of patients did not know the risks in case of overdose (72.8%) and underdosing (71.4%). Self-medication by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was reported by 18 patients (25.7%). Cabbage (74.3%) and lettuce (62.9%) were the main foods reported to be consumed moderately.The knowledge of patients on the management of VKA is fragmentary and remains insufficient to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. The creation of a therapeutic education program is then necessary.

With the recent marketing of the new oral anticoagulants (NOAC), the future of vitamin k antagonist (VKA) needs to be redefined. VKAs are drugs with a narrow therapeutic margin and a high iatrogenic risk that requires a close biological monitoring. Their efficacy has been proven for atrial fibrillation in numerous populations, especially in the elderly. Their side effects and interactions are well known. The measurement of the level of anticoagulation is possible and reliable using the INR (international normalized ratio) and an antidote is usable in case of emergency. The NOAC are at least as effective as VKA with slightly less side-effects especially cerebral hemorrhage, and they do not require biological monitoring. However, data on efficacy and side-effects of NOAC rely mainly on phase III clinical trials that did not particularly target polypathologic and frail populations. In these populations, we therefore have more "real life" information on VKA than NOAC. But studies on NOAC are currently conducted among these populations. A conservative approach would be to maintain VKA to older patients with stable INR. Lastly VKA are the only anticoagulant usable in case of severe renal failure and valvular fibrillation.

The benefits of anti-vitamin K (AVK) drugs have been acknowledged in several indications. Such indications increasing with increasing age, AVK prescriptions also increases with age. At the same time, conditions involving significant bleeding are common in this elderly population. It is thus essential to recognize the determining factors. This study included all patients taking AVK drugs aged 75 years and older who sought emergency care at the Cochin Hospital from January to December 2011 for significant bleeding. These patients were compared with a cohort of patients aged 75 years or older who were taking AVK drugs and who were admitted to the same unit during the same time period for other reasons. The case-control comparison included demographic data, comorbidity factors, multiple medications, emergency measured INR, and CHA2DS2VASC level. The hemorrhagic risk was evaluated by HEMORR2HAGES and HAS-BLED. A total of 34 patients were studied and compared with 70 case-controls. The Charlson comorbidity index was higher in patients than case-controls (P0.05), with a much higher hemorrhagic risk for scores ≥ 9 (OR=2.5; P0.05). Multiple medication was also more predominant in patients (P0.05). The risk of serious hemorrhage was also higher when the hemorrhagic scores were high, especially for HEMORR2HAGES (P0.0001) and HAS-BLED (P0.001). The risk of serious hemorrhage in elderly outpatients taking AVK drugs is related to their higher comorbidity and hemorrhagic levels which need to be evaluated before starting or stopping AVK treatment.

We report our experience of thrice-weekly warfarin administration, at the end of the dialysis session, in 12 patients (average age: 79 ± 5 years). In 10 cases, indication for anticoagulation therapy was atrial fibrillation, in one case a mechanical heart valve, in another case axillo femoral bypass. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) therapeutic goal was between 2 and 3, except for the patient with a mechanical aortic heart valve, whose goal was between 2.5 and 3.5. The INR was determined during the first dialysis session of the week. The thrice-weekly warfarin dose was based on this result. INR stability was assessed for each patient over an uninterrupted period of treatment of at least 6 months. The average duration of warfarin treatment was 20 ± 5 months. One in two patients had hypertensive nephropathy. The average Charlson co-morbidity score was 9 ± 1. Four patients were also taking aspirin or clopidogrel. The 10 patients with atrial fibrillation had an average CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score of 4.4 ± 0.8. The average haemorrage risk HAS-BLED score was 3.3 ± 0.6. The average weekly warfarin dose was 23 ± 5 mg. No thrombotic events were observed. The side effects of warfarin were minor in most cases: (1) INR more than 6 in two cases without associated bleeding; (2) minor bleeding (nose, bladder) in three cases. One case of skin necrosis was observed. No cases of major bleeding (requiring blood transfusion) were observed. Only one patient was admitted into hospital as a result of warfarin treatment (the case of skin necrosis). Five hundred and forty-seven INR results were analyzed: 65% of these results were within the therapeutic goal, only 3% were either beneath 1.5 or over 4. To conclude, warfarin administration at the end of the dialysis session is efficient and associated with remarkable INR stability in the goal. It enables precise dose adaptation and optimum therapeutic observance, which in turn reduces the risk of bleeding.

To assesses the results of our education program relative to anticoagulation therapy and self-monitoring of INR.All children treated with oral anticoagulation therapy and followed using INR self-monitoring in Tours and Nantes, France, were included. A questionnaire on the treatment and its management was sent to the patients and their family. We analyzed the quality of anticoagulation using the proportion of INR within the target range.Thirty-three children were included, with a mean age of 10.9years. Thirty-one questionnaires could be analyzed. Insufficient knowledge on the treatment objective and risks, the INR target range, and the interpretation of the INR was observed. We found 65.8% of INRs within the target range. The proportion of INRs within the target range was better with the INR self-testing than with the laboratory test (69.7% vs. 49.1%, P=0.003). There was no major complication observed during the study period. A moderate correlation (K=0.57) was noted between the INRs measured with the point-of-care monitor and the laboratory test on the same day.However, home-monitoring of oral anticoagulation therapy increases the quality of anticoagulation. Both education and the training program need improvement in order to provide patients and their families with better knowledge on anticoagulation therapy.

Antithrombotic (anticoagulants and antiplatelets) are responsible for iatrogenic accidents, with a specific impact in neurosurgery. Bleeding complications are the most common and best-known. But the link to antiplatelet or to dual association of antithrombotic treatment with intracranial haemorrhage is not complete yet. We studied the proportion of patients under antithrombotic treatment, when an intracranial hemorrhage occurred, as well as the morbi-mortality of each group of patients (with or without antithrombotic treatment). Finally, we studied the proportion of off-label prescriptions.We conducted a monocentric and comprehensive prospective study on a group of patients. All patients that had been admitted for intracranial hemorrhage to our hospital, in a 5-month period were included in the study.One hundred and sixty patients admitted for an intracranial hemorrhage were included during 70days of call. Seventy-four of these patients (46.25%) were under antithrombotic treatment: 40 under antiplatelet treatment (54%), 29 under anticoagulant treatment (39.2%), four under dual antithrombotic treatment (5.4%), and one under Arixtra(®). Half of the patients under antithrombotic treatment had poor prognosis as compared to 40% of patients without antithrombotic treatment. Off-label antithrombotic therapy was estimated at 27.3% of all prescriptions.The prevalence of antithrombotic therapy in patients is high when intracranial hemorrhage occurs. Some complications could be avoided by decreasing the number of off-label prescriptions and by better controlling their use (using standardized INR). Antiplatelet treatments and new antithrombotic therapies require better drug monitoring which could be part of the establishment of a specific register.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of International Normalized Ratio testing by point of care devices, on morbidity and mortality of patients treated with oral anticoagulants, in comparison with usual testing in laboratory.A systematic review of literature is performed. Data from selected trials are summarized in a global meta-analysis and also in subgroups meta-analysis, according to the fact that the user of POC device is the patient himself, with or without personal treatment adaptation, the general practitioner or a health professional in an anticoagulation clinic. Results of the global meta-analysis show a reduction of major thromboembolism and all causes mortality but not of major hemorrhage. Subgroup analysis shows that most favorable results are obtained when patient himself realizes the test and adapts the treatment. Results are compared with those of other published meta-analysis and the limits of results' validity are discussed.

Anticoagulant therapy is indicated in many clinical situations. The handling of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is difficult and their therapeutic range is narrow, requiring close biological monitoring of INR. Introduction of VKA is a particularly critical period. Algorithms for initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy have been proposed but they are generally designed for warfarin, which has a longer half life as compared to acenocoumarol. In this article, algorithms for the prescription of acenocoumarol are proposed, taking into account the patient's age, weight and initial Quick value. The goal of these algorithms, combined with frequent monitoring of INR, is to limit the bleeding risk during the introduction of anticoagulant therapy.

Anticoagulant therapy is indicated in many clinical situations. The handling of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is difficult and their therapeutic range is narrow, requiring close biological monitoring of INR. Introduction of VKA is a particularly critical period. Algorithms for initiation of oral anticoagulant therapy have been proposed but they are generally designed for warfarin, which has a longer half life as compared to acenocoumarol. In this article, algorithms for the prescription of acenocoumarol are proposed, taking into account the patient's age, weight and initial Quick value. The goal of these algorithms, combined with frequent monitoring of INR, is to limit the bleeding risk during the introduction of anticoagulant therapy.

More and more patients are treated with long term oral anticoagulation. The time spent in therapeutic range is often limited since many factors affect INR. Too high or too low INRs increase respectively the hemorrhagic or thromboembolic risks. INR monitoring by a capillary device either in autonomy (self-management) by some selected patients or in relation with the treating physician (self-control), allows increasing the time spent in therapeutic range. Capillary INR monitoring can also be made at the medical office: it is less invasive and provides a quicker answer than a venous INR.

The study is transversal and descriptive. It take place in the odontology department in a public hospital in Dakar (Senegal), during 09 month (January-September 2005). The objective of this work was to determine the TP-INR value making possible to carry out an act of oral surgery without haemorrhagic risk. (INR = International Normalized Ratio).It concerned 32 patients referred to the Odontology service by the Cardiology They presented a cardiovascular pathology having required an anticoagulant therapy, and also need an act of oral surgery. We exploited the following parameters: identification of the patient, oral state, types of oral surgery, types of cardiopathy, AVK posology, value of TP-INR, haemostatics means.81.25% of the patients were women (26), with a sex ratio of 0.23. The mean age was 53ans, with 21 and 84 years like the extremes. 56.25% of our patients had undergone a single extraction, 25% had beneficed multiple extractions, and 18.75% had profited from a scaling-curetting. The average value of the TP-INR was 2.22 with extremes between 2 and 2.84.In favour of the haemostat means, no haemorrhagic complication post operational was revealed. It is allowed that the risk of thromboembolic accident by stopping the treatment is much more prejudicial than the hemorrhagic risk for the patient.

Anticoagulation clinics and computerized management of chronic oral anticoagulation increase the time spent in the therapeutic range with both mortality and morbidity reduction. Usually, anticoagulation clinics are hospital-based medical care centers. We report the five-year results from a general medicine center (CSCTA) using a computer-assisted management.A prospective cohort observational study of 530 primary care patients that were receiving long term oral anticoagulation.Cardiac arrhythmia (55%), heart valve disease and venous thrombo-embolic disease (30%) represented the most common indications of oral anticoagulation. Patients received fluindione, warfarin and acenocoumarol in 80%, 13% and 7%, respectively. The duration of treatment was at least one year in 54% of the cases, and was at least three years in 25% of the cases. The rate of patients that were in average within the therapeutic range (INR 2-3) was 72%, while 12% were under and 16% over the therapeutic range. Corresponding rates were 82, 17 and 1% respectively for all anticoagulation targets (INR 1.5-4.5). Twenty-six bleeding events (4.9 per 100 patient-years) and four thrombotic complications (0.75 per 100 patient-years) occurred. Life-threatening hemorrhage occurred in 1.3 per 100 patient-years. After the equilibration of the anticoagulation, the average delay of control between two consecutive INR was 19 days.The results obtained with CSCTA were similar to those reported by other anticoagulation clinics regarding hemorrhagic complications and time spent in the therapeutic range. In contrast, thrombotic events were less frequent. Because of the absence of a control group, a medico-economic analysis could not be performed.

There are several well established indications for long term oral anticoagulation, including atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease and some categories of venous thromboembolic disease. Bleeding is the major complication. Apart from the estimated benefits and risks of long term oral anticoagulation in an individual patient, many practical issues interfering with the management of such treatment should be taken into account. These include compliance, factors causing high INR variability and necessity of frequent monitoring. Involving patients in the decision and treatment management highly improves efficacy and security of long term oral anticoagulation.

Oral anticoagulant treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) is prescribed to an increasing number of patients. These drugs are,however, one of the leading causes of iatrogenic disease. It is essential to monitor the intensity of anticoagulation very closely, by a biological measure (INR, international normalized ratio),to minimize the frequency of thrombotic and hemorrhagic events that may occur in the case of insufficient or excessive anticoagulation. Current methods of monitoring INR can be improved.Self-testing of INR and self-monitoring of oral coagulation treatment offer advantages over more conventional approaches. This self-testing can be performed by most patients capable of living alone, regardless of their social status or educational level. Despite the existence of very reliable self-testing devices, France is very far behind in the use of these instruments that allow management and improve the morbidity and mortality inherent in anticoagulant treatment.

Venous thromboembolic events are frequent in patients with cancer. Patients on anticoagulant therapy are both at increased risk for subsequent thromboembolic and bleeding events. Whatever the therapeutic option (vitamin K antagonists [VKA] or low-molecular-weight heparin [LMWH]) a clinic and biological monitoring is required. International Normalized Ratio (INR) variability is increased in patients with cancer as compared with patients without cancer and should be maintained in the target range. Anti-Xa activity measurement may be used in LMWH treatments, in order to detect a possible accumulation in any patients; platelet count monitoring is recommended. Interpretation is most often difficult because of numerous possible causes of thrombopenia in the patient with cancer. Anticoagulant clinics are developed in order to help practitioners and participate in the monitoring of anticoagulant treatments in those patients.

Initial treatment of venous thromboembolic events is currently based on antithrombotics. This treatment is validated and identical for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. For distal DVT, this treatment has still to be validated. This reference therapeutic strategy is firstly parenteral and based on low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) or fondaparinux, subcutaneously prescribed at fixed dosage based on body weight without any systematic dose adjustment on hemostasis tests. Unfractionated heparin is steel the reference treatment in case of severe renal insufficiency. This parenteral treatment has to be relieved by vitamin K antagonists (VKA). VKA has to be co-administrated for at least 3 days, without any loading dose and can be early initiated. VKA dose needs to be adjusted in order to maintain INR between 2 and 3. However, in case of cancer, LMWH have to be carried on for 6 months. A part this antithrombotic treatment, thrombolytics are recommended in case of massive PE and vena cava filter should be used in case of recurrence despite adequate antithrombotic treatment or in case of contraindication to antithrombotic.