Outpatient management of oral anticoagulation treatment (OAT) in general practice: the “Medicina di Gruppo di Masate” experience

La Gestione Ambulatoriale Della Terapia Anticoagulante Orale (TAO) Nelle Cure Primarie: L'esperienza Dell'Associazione “Medicina di Gruppo di Masate”

Abstract

Oral anticoagulants are used for prophylaxis in thromboembolic conditions. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin, are commonly employed. The anticoagulation activity induced by VKAs is monitored by the prothrombin time test to determine the International Normalized Ratio (INR). Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices can be used to monitor anticoagulant therapy improving the quality of oral anticoagulation. This paper aims at describing the relevant experience of the “Medicina di Gruppo di Masate” in general practice. We also put this experience into the general context of the international evidence on the impact of POCT. Both our experience and the international evidence may support anticoagulant therapy management by GPs (General Practitioners).