Cardiology Consultants, Ltd provides superior cardiac care for our patients. One of the ways we maintain this standard is through patient education to ensure safe use of their prescribed medications. Coumadin is one such drug commonly used by a large part of our patient population.

Definition:
Commonly called a "blood thinner", Coumadin is an anticoagulant. "Anti" means against, and coagulant refers to "blood clotting". An anticoagulant helps reduce clots from forming in the blood.

Drug Usage:
The objective of using coumadin is to decrease the clotting ability of blood so that thrombus (clot) is prevented. These clots can cause serious medical problems by moving within the body. For example: if a clot moves you your brain it can cause a stroke.

Medical conditions which may require Coumadin therapy include: Atrial fibrillation (rapid, irregular twitching of the atria in the heart), Deep Vein Thrombosis (clots in the legs), Mechanical and Bioprostetic Heart Valves, Cerebrovascular Accident (strokes), Post-Myocardial Infarction (heart attacks), and Recurrent Systemic Embolism.

Providers Role:
Each patient's Coumadin dosage is individually directed by his/her Cardiologist. The physician will determine both the starting and maintenance dose of Coumadin.

Coumadin levels can be affected by a number of things such as: diet, sickness, other medications and physical activity. Patients on Coumadin should keep the doctor informed of any such changes.

Coumadin Education:
The staff nurses provide educational support and patient counseling. Patient education includes why the individual has been prescribed the medication, the importance of taking Coumadin at the same time each day and taking the correct dose. Any signs and symptoms of bleeding, changes in diet or medication should be reported by the patient.

Follow-up:
The nurse also calls the patient with his/her protime results and when to repeat the lab study. Coumadin requires close monitoring and follow-up with frequent blood tests to determine the patients protime and INR (International Ratio: a world wide standard blood level). The Coumadin is adjusted based on the patient's diagnosis and protime results.