Monitoring of patients on oral anticoagulant therapy in COVID-19 pandemic conditions

Medical Word 2022; 3(1): 10–13

https://doi.org/10.5937/medrec2201010A

Original article

Ana Antić

Abstract

Although the outpatient clinic for monitoring anticoagulant therapy (ACT) was not in the first line of priority in conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the response of the entire health system included the reorganization of this service, all in order to ensure the highest quality of monitoring patients in pandemics. AKA continued to work in the conditions of lockdown and the “stay at home” campaign, providing the highest quality of professional support to patients, while providing all measures to protect against the virus transmission (unaccompanied arrival, measuring body temperature at the entrance, wearing a protective mask, alcohol hand disinfection, physical distance). Patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are recommended to use their own portable INR control devices at home.

Patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or VKAs should continue their previously prescribed therapy, unless their transfusiologist prescribes otherwise, taking into account the therapy they are taking to treat COVID-19 infection. In patients with a previously well-regulated INR (TTR > 60%) and in good general condition, the interval until the next INR control is extended to 12 weeks, and for all patients in whom the use of DOAK is possible, switching from AVK to DOAK is recommended.

Management of anticoagulant therapy should be based on the principles of work in the conditions before the COVID-19 pandemic in combination with rational principles that are introduced in the current conditions.

Key words: COVID-19, anticoagulant therapy, INR, warfarin, direct anticoagulants

Full text

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