INR is mainly used to monitor the effect of anticoagulants (warfarin). The drug thins the blood, which leads to a reduced risk of stroke, heart attack and other serious cardiovascular complications. However, it is important to monitor the INR regularly to ensure the correct dosage of the drug, as there is a risk of bleeding if it is too high and a risk of clotting if it is too low. A coagulometer is a portable device used to monitor patients' response to warfarin. The procedure involves inserting a test strip into the device and then taking a blood sample which is placed on the test strip. The meter reads the test strip, measures how long it takes for the blood to clot and displays the result. In some cases, INR testing is done before surgery to avoid complications during the procedure.
INR is mainly used to monitor the effect of anticoagulants (warfarin). The drug thins the blood, which leads to a reduced risk of stroke, heart attack and other serious cardiovascular complications. However, it is important to monitor the INR regularly to ensure the correct dosage of the drug, as there is a risk of bleeding if it is too high and a risk of clotting if it is too low. A coagulometer is a portable device used to monitor patients' response to warfarin. The procedure involves inserting a test strip into the device and then taking a blood sample which is placed on the test strip. The meter reads the test strip, measures how long it takes for the blood to clot and displays the result. In some cases, INR testing is done before surgery to avoid complications during the procedure.