Coumadin, a blood thinner commonly used in cardiology and other medical fields, is essential in preventing or treating thromboembolic events, such as stroke, atrial fibrillation, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, severe heart failure, extensive heart attacks, heart valve replacement, and, occasionally, after stent placement.
Because of the delicate balance required, Coumadin must be closely monitored to ensure the correct dosage and minimize the risk of bleeding due to excessive blood thinning. Until recently, this meant that patients needed to visit their doctor’s office for a blood draw, which would then be sent to a lab for analysis. This process, though necessary, could be cumbersome, requiring a blood draw from an arm vein and resulting in a wait time of up to 48 hours—during which the patient might still be taking a dosage that needed adjustment.