Anticoagulants (Coumadin®, Jantoven®, Warfarin)
Often referred to as “blood thinners”, anticoagulants don’t actually thin the blood, but rather alter the blood’s clotting process. They are prescribed for people with mechanical heart valves, atrial fibrillation or any condition where prevention of a harmful clot is desired. However, over-anticoagulating the blood can also increase risks associated with excessive bleeding. Therefore, patients are frequently monitored to measure the rate at which their blood clots using a Prothrombin Time or PT/INR test. INR stands for International Normalized Ratio and is the most commonly used measurement for this test. Maintaining a PT/INR level in a physician directed therapeutic range is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing complications.

Patient Self Testing
Studies show that patients who self test may spend more time in therapeutic range, because they can more rapidly identify trends. This allows for appropriate dose adjustments when advised by a physician. "In order to achieve time in therapeutic range of >90%, a patient most likely needs to be tested once a week." -CMS (Medicare) Decision Memorandum CAG#0087N.