What is the therapeutic INR range commonly targeted for patients on warfarin?

What is the therapeutic INR range commonly targeted for patients on warfarin?

• A. 3-4
• B. 2-3
• C. 1-2
• D. 0.5-1.5

Answer: (B)

The important idea is that warfarin patients are kept within a therapeutic window using the INR to balance preventing clots with avoiding bleeding. For most indications, the target INR is 2.0 to 3.0. This range provides enough anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism without an excessive bleed risk. Values below 2.0 are generally subtherapeutic and may fail to prevent clots, while values above 3.0 raise the chance of bleeding. Some situations, like certain mechanical heart valves, may call for slightly higher targets (around 2.5–3.5), but the commonly aimed-for range is 2–3.

The important idea is that warfarin patients are kept within a therapeutic window using the INR to balance preventing clots with avoiding bleeding. For most indications, the target INR is 2.0 to 3.0. This range provides enough anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism without an excessive bleed risk. Values below 2.0 are generally subtherapeutic and may fail to prevent clots, while values above 3.0 raise the chance of bleeding. Some situations, like certain mechanical heart valves, may call for slightly higher targets (around 2.5–3.5), but the commonly aimed-for range is 2–3.