ABSTRACT

The increased frequency of referral of patients with warfarin related complications to the emergency unit is worthy of our attention nowadays. The most common reason for this is its role in the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation and increased usage of this drug for the high rate of valve surgery. Bleeding in case of a supratherapeutic effect, its relation with thrombotic complications at subtherapeutic levels and additionally the presence of high risk of drug-drug interaction are important aspects of this drug in routine practice of the cardiologist and emergency physician. Our aim is to review knowledge concerning warfarin in routine practice.

Keywords: Warfarin, INR, bleeding