According to a report based on the RE-LY trial which was published online October 1, 2012 in Circulation, following the recommended dose of Warfarin can dramatically improve an AF patient’s international normalized ratio (INR) time in the patient’s therapeutic range (TTR). This can account for the majority of the TTR variation that occurs between different clinics and countries.

The RE-LY trial basically compared the safety and efficacy of both Dabigatran and Warfarin in treating AF patients who also have nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. For the most part, the study showed that there was a big link between the amount of Warafrin’s algorithm-consistent dosing and the TTR in the countries that were a part of the trial.

“Clinical skill was measured by the extent to which Warfarin dosing was consistent with a simple algorithm, which specified no dose change if the INR was in range and small (10 percent to 15 percent) dose changes if the INR was out of range,” writes Dr. Harriette Van Spall (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON) and colleagues in their report. “Algorithm adherence had a large impact on TTR. Both — not changing the dose when the INR was in range and changing by small amounts when the INR was out of range — independently predicted improved TTR.”

Dr. Adam Rose (Center for Health Quality, Outcomes and Economic Research, Bedford, Mass.) reported in an accompanying editorial that the review should be able to remove the doubts over whether the TTR really is the way to ensure that patients treated with Warfarin suffer from serious side effects.

“Some have suggested that sites with higher TTR might also be delivering high-quality care in other ways,” he said. “If this were true, then quality-improvement efforts aimed at increasing TTR might not achieve the desired benefits in terms of preventing adverse events. The finding by Van Spall and colleagues serves as a strong refutation for this line of reasoning, because if high-TTR sites were truly delivering other interventions responsible for preventing adverse events, we would have seen a similar reduction in adverse events among patients receiving Dabigatran (Pradaxa, Boehringer Ingelheim). The present study therefore serves as a strong endorsement of efforts to improve TTR at the site level and thereby prevent adverse events.”

Warfarin is the most popular prescription drug that is prescribed to treat AF, and Dabigatran is quickly picking up steam. Another drug used to treat AF is the Sanofi-Aventis drug Multaq. Research has shown that Multaq is not safe for use since it causes liver failure and a worsening of the heart condition for some patients. These side effects is why Multaq has been recommended for use only if all other medications fail to work.

If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure or a worsening heart condition after being treated with Multaq, contact the attorneys at Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.