Warfarin Flashcards
What is warfarin?
Anticoagulant - acts as antagonist to vit K dependent clotting factors
How check INR/ Warfarin levels?
Pt should carry book
What is ramipril?
ACE inhibitor Used for the tx of hypertension - lowers blood pressure
What is nifedipine?
Calcium channel blocker Used to tx high blood pressure
What is bendroflumethiazide?
Diuretic - tx hypertension
What is INR?
International normalised ratio - measure of how long blood takes to clot
What are the target range for INR?
Needs to be taken 24 hrs before (72 hours in stable pt)
INR less 4 - able to tx
INR greater than 4 - delay or refer
Can warfarin be stopped?
No - risk of serious embolism w/ temp cessation of warfarin
How to manage warfarin pt?
Before - check INR
Post-op - local measures, careful instruction
Precautions w/ warfarin?
Abs - warfarin metabolised by liver - some ab can inhibit cytochrome P450 - warfarin not metabolised increasing INR
What are some reasons for raised INR?
Too much anticoagulant
Other medication: aspirin, NSAIDs, ab
Health condition
Sudden decrease vit K in diet
How long is oozing from socket normal?
Low level fro 12-24 hrs - anything beyond requires investigation
How to investigate ongoing bleed?
Important to find out when bleeding began - is small amount or mouth filling with blood
Exacerbations - mouth rinsing, fingers
Have tried simple haemostat measures
What is clicking?
Replacement valve - ball valve
