A 52-year-old man presents to the ED with a complaint of rectal bleeding and hematuria. He has a medical history significant for atrial fibrillation diagnosed 10 years ago and states that he takes metoprolol as well as warfarin for this condition. Upon examination, you find that his blood pressure is 122/78, his pulse is 84, his respiratory rate is 18, and his O2 saturation is 98% on room air. He has an irregularly irregular heart rhythm, gingival bleeding, and some bruises on his extremities. He has a positive fecal occult blood test, and laboratory studies return showing an international normalized ratio (INR) of 16.5. You order that the patient's warfarin be held. Which of the following is the most appropriate additional intervention at this time?
- repeat INR measurement as an outpatient in 5 days
- admit the patient to the hospital and conduct serial INR measurements
- administer vitamin K1
- administer fresh frozen plasma
- administer vitamin K1 and fresh frozen plasma
Answer(s): E
Explanation:
This patient has a markedly supratherapeutic INR and clinical evidence of bleeding. Discontinuation or dosage reduction of warfarin is an appropriate intervention by itself in patients with an INR less than 5.0 or in patients without signs of bleeding. In patients with bleeding or with an INR greater than 5.0, however, further interventions are indicated. Vitamin K1 administration provides a more rapid reversal of the anticoagulation caused by warfarin, but it takes 68 hours to begin having an effect and up to 24 hours to achieve its maximal effect. Immediate reversal may be obtained by the administration of fresh frozen plasma intravenously in addition to vitamin K1
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