International Normalized Ratio (INR) Targets: Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter
The international normalized ratio (INR) recommendations below are per guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (2008). [1]
The INR target (range) is 2.5 (2.0-3.0) in all of the following circumstances [2, 3, 4, 5] :
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Ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or systemic embolism
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Risk factors (age >75 years, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, decreased left ventricular systolic function, heart failure)
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After open-heart surgery
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Planned cardioversion
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Emergency cardioversion
Duration of therapy
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Ischemic stroke, TIA, or systemic embolism: Long-term
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Risk factors: Long-term
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Mitral stenosis: Long-term
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After open-heart surgery: 4 weeks
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Planned cardioversion: 3 weeks prior and 4 weeks after
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Emergency cardioversion: 4 weeks
