• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2021

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a high risk of stroke-related morbidity, mortality, and bleeding. However, the overall risk/benefit of anticoagulant therapy among patients with CKD remains unclear. Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were comprehensively searched until July 31, 2020, to investigate the safety and efficacy of apixaban in patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD, as compared with warfarin. The primary outcome was an incidence of major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included composite bleeding (major, clinically relevant, and minor bleeding), venous thromboembolism (VTE), stroke, and death. Results: In total, seven studies consisting of 10,816 patients were included. Compared with warfarin, apixaban was associated with a reduced risk of major bleeding (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.41-0.58). In terms of composite bleeding, apixaban tended to pose a significantly lower risk than warfarin (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71). There was no difference between apixaban and warfarin with respect to the risk of stroke or death (stroke: OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.49-3.12; death: OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.45-1.18). Conclusion: Among patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD, the use of apixaban was associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared to warfarin and was also found to pose no excess risk of thromboembolic events.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.243-249
• /
• 2020

Background: Despite the increased use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants, warfarin is still recommended as first-line therapy in patients with mechanical valves or moderate to severe mitral stenosis. Anticoagulation management services (AMSs) are warranted for patients receiving warfarin therapy due to the complexity of warfarin dosing and large interpatient variability. To overcome limited health care resources, we developed a messenger app-based chatbot that provides information to patients taking warfarin. Methods: We developed "WafarinTalk" as an add-on to the open-source messenger app KakaoTalk. We developed the prototype chatbot after building a database containing seven categories: 1) dosage and indications, 2) drug-drug interactions, 3) drug-food interactions, 4) drug-diet supplement interactions, 5) monitoring, 6) adverse events, and 7) precautions. We then surveyed 30 pharmacists and 10 patients on chatbot reliability and on participant satisfaction. Results: We found that 80% of the pharmacists agreed on the consistency of chatbot responses and 44% agreed on the appropriateness of chatbot. Furthermore, 47% of pharmacists said that they were willing to recommend the chatbot to patients. Of the seven categories, information on drug-food interaction was the most useful; 90% of patients said they were satisfied with the chatbot and 100% of patients said they were willing to use it when they were unable to see a pharmacist. We updated the prototype chatbot with feedback from the survey. Conclusion: This study showed that warfarin-related information could be provided to patients through a messenger application-based chatbot.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 2022

Background: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is associated with ischemic stroke risk in the aging population. Observational studies have indicated beneficial effects of direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) against ischemic stroke compared to warfarin. This study aimed to investigate ischemic stroke incidence and bleeding risk in patients on DOAC therapy. Methods: Using the database of Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment-Aged Patient Sample 2015, we conducted a retrospective cohort study. Study subjects with NVAF diagnosis and prescribed anticoagulants were enrolled. Propensity score (PS) matching by age, sex, comorbidities, and medications were used. The clinical outcomes were major adverse cerebro-cardiovascular events (MACCEs, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, cardiac death) and bleeding events. A cox proportional hazard model analysis was performed to compare the outcomes with hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Total 4,773 elderly patients with NVAF were initially included. Four PS-matched groups including rivaroxaban vs. warfarin-only (n=1,079), dabigatran vs. warfarin-only (n=721), rivaroxaban vs. dabigatran (n=721), and switchers of warfarin to rivaroxaban vs. warfarin-only (n=287) were analyzed. Every group showed statistically similar results of MACCEs and bleeding events, except for the group of rivaroxaban vs. dabigatran. Rivaroxaban users showed higher risks of bleeding events than dabigatran users (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.01-4.99). Conclusion: In the elderly patients with NVAF, efficacy and safety outcomes among oral anticoagulants including DOACs and warfarin were similar, while rivaroxaban are more likely to have higher bleeding risks than dabigatran. Further research using large size sample is needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.270-275
• /
• 2011

이 증례는 드물게 보는 경우로 simvastatin과 gemfibrozil을 오랫동안 함께 복용했음에도, 특이한 문제가 발현되지 않았지만, 이들을 warfarin와 함께 치료하는 경우, 아주 높은 alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) 혈중 농도, rhabdomyolysis, 급성 신장 장애가 발생하였다. 그 후, Simvastatin와 gemfibrozil을 복용 중단시켰더니, ALT/AST는 빠르게 정상수치로 돌아온 경우이다. 이 증례 보고서는 의료인들에게 simvastatin과 gemfibrozil을 함께 혹은 따로 warfarin과 함께 복용시켜 치료할 경우, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) 와 creatinine 혈중 수치들을 포함하여 ALT/AST 농도들을 주의 깊게 모니터하도록 경각심을 주고자 한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.173-179
• /
• 2013

Objective of present study was to prepare and characterize self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of lutein and to evaluate its effect on bioavailability of warfarin. The SNEDDS was prepared using an oil, a surfactant, and co-surfactants with optimal composition based on pseudo-ternary phase diagram. Effect of the SNEDDS on the bioavailability of warfarin was performed using Sprague Dawley rats. Lutein was successfully formulated as SNEDDS for immediate self-emulsification and dissolution by using combination of Peceol as oil, Labrasol as surfactant, and Transcutol-HP or Lutrol-E400 as co-surfactant. Almost complete dissolution was achieved after 15 min while lutein was not detectable from the lutein powder or intra-capsule content of a commercial formulation. SNEDDS formulation of lutein affected bioavailability of warfarin, showing about 10% increase in $C_{max}$ and AUC of the drug in rats while lutein as non-SNEDDS did not alter these parameters. Although exact mechanism is not yet elucidated, it appears that surfactant and co-surfactant used for SNEDDS formulation caused disturbance in the anatomy of small intestinal microvilli, leading to permeability change of the mucosal membrane. Based on this finding, it is suggested that drugs with narrow therapeutic range such as warfarin be administered with caution to avoid undesirable drug interaction due to large amount of surfactants contained in SNEDDS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.452-455
• /
• 2023

Patients who have undergone mechanical valve replacement require anticoagulation therapy with warfarin to prevent thromboembolism. However, administering warfarin to pregnant patients increases their risk of warfarin embryopathy or central nervous system disorders. Consequently, safer alternatives, such as heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin injection, are substituted for warfarin. However, limited research has been conducted on this subject, with no large-scale studies and particularly few investigations involving multiparous patients. A patient who had previously undergone mechanical mitral valve replacement for atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis received anticoagulant therapy with enoxaparin during 2 pregnancies. Upon confirmation of pregnancy, warfarin was replaced with subcutaneously injected enoxaparin with a dosage of 1 mg/kg at 12-hour intervals. The enoxaparin dosage was controlled using an anti-factor Xa assay, with a target range of 0.3-0.7 IU/mL. Intravenous heparin injections were administered starting 3 days prior to the expected delivery date and were continued until delivery, after which warfarin was resumed. No complications were observed during the deliveries.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 1987

To clarify the difference between the outcome of warfarin anticoagulation and the antiplatelet [Aspirin, Dipyridamole] therapy after bioprosthetic heart valve replacement, we compared the following two groups. Group I [Warfarin group] consisted of 557 patients undergone lonescu - Shiley valve replacement between January, 1979 and December, 1985, and treated with scheduled warfarin therapy at Seoul National University Hospital. Group II [Antiplatelet group] consisted of 128 patients undergone lonescu - Shiley, Carpentier - Edwards or Wessex bioprosthetic valve replacement between March, 1983 and December, 1986, and treated primarily with antiplatelet therapy [Aspirin plus Dipyridamole] at SeJong General Hospital. The two groups were similar with respect to age, number of valves utilized per patient, type of operation and risk factors of thromboembolism. In group I, 522 patients excluding 35 hospital death [hospital mortality 6.3%], and in group II, 119 survivors excluding 9 hospital death [hospital mortality 7.0%] were followed. In group I, there were 13 fatal complications, of which seven were thromboembolic [0.6% / pt-yr] and six hemorrhagic [0.5%/pt-yr] during the period of four years. In group II, there were 3 fatal thromboembolic complications [2.3%/pt-yr] during the period of four years. This showed no statistically significant difference. Apart from fatal complications, there were lots of warfarin related minor complications in group I comparing with those of group II. The actuarial probability of the freedom from thromboembolism and of the freedom from fatal complications were very similar at each corresponding years postoperatively. As a result, warfarin anticoagulation in patients with bioprosthetic valve replacement did not reveal any significant advantages over antiplatelet therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2004

Objectives: Warfarin is a representative anticoagulant, and it has been the preferred drug for treating thromboembolic diseases and preventing ischemic stroke. It should be administered in a delicate manner, because combined therapy with other drugs could affect the INR (International Normalized Ratio), thus bleeding tendency might occur. Interaction with herbal medicines still remains controversial. We aimed to examine the effect of herbal medicine on INR in patients being treated with warfarin. We aimed to examine the effect of herbal medicine on INR in the patients being treated with warfarin. Methods: We enrolled subjects being treated with a combined therapy of warfarin and herbal medicine from 1 October, 2002 to 20 November, 2003 at the Department of Cardiovascular & Neurologic Diseases (Stroke Center), Hospital of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee Medical Center. INR was monitored per 1 to 2 weeks and the significance of change was examined by Wilcoxon signed rank test or repeated measure analysis Results: Eighty-three subjects were included in the final analysis. As a whole, their INR was not significantly changed. There were only 9 cases in which INR changed more than 1.0; 7 showed increasing tendency, and 2 showed decreasing tendency of INR. Among the 9 cases, only 5 were suspected to have a relation to herbal medicine. Conclusions: We suggest that there was no strong evidence that herbal medicine has an influence on INR, but there is a need to perform further evaluation on larger samples to reach a concrete conclusion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.90-98
• /
• 2023

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. Totally thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) is a surgical treatment showing a high success rate as a hybrid procedure with radiofrequency catheter ablation to control AF. This study compared the early complications of warfarin and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients who underwent TTA. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent planned TTA for AF from February 2012 to October 2020. All patients received postoperative anticoagulation, either with warfarin or a NOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban). Propensity score matching was performed for both groups. Early complications were assessed at 12 weeks after TTA and were divided into efficacy and safety outcomes. Both efficacy and safety outcomes were compared in the propensity score-matched groups. Results: Early complications involving efficacy outcomes, such as stroke and transient ischemic attack, were seen in 5 patients in the warfarin group and none in the NOAC group. Although the 2 groups differed in the incidence of efficacy outcomes, it was not statistically significant. In safety outcomes, 11 patients in the warfarin group and 24 patients in the NOAC group had complications, but likewise, the between-group difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Among patients who underwent TTA, those who received NOACs had a lower incidence of thromboembolic complications than those who received warfarin; however, both groups showed a similar bleeding complication rate. Using a NOAC after TTA does not reduce efficacy and safety when compared to warfarin.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.967-973
• /
• 2003

Cytochrome P4502C9(CYP2C9) is largely responsible for terminating anticoagulant effect by hydroxylation of S-warfarin to inactive metabolites. Mutations in the CYP2C9 gene result in the expression of allelic variants, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 with reduced enzyme activity compared to wild type CYP2C9 *1. The aim of this study was to assess relationship between requirement of warfarin dose and polymorphism in CYP2C9 in Korean population. Patients on warfarin therapy for longer than 1 year were included from July 1999 to December 2000 and categorized as one of four groups; regular dose non-bleeding, regular dose bleeding, low dose non-bleeding and low dose bleeding. Low dose was defined as less than 10 mg/week for 3 consecutive monthly follow-ups. Bleeding complications included minor and major bleedings. Blood samples were processed for DNA extraction, genotyping and sequencing to detect polymorphism in CYP2C9. Demographic data, warfarin dose per week, prothrombin time (INR), indications and co-morbid diseases were assessed for each group. Total 90 patients on warfarin were evaluated; The low dose group has taken warfarin 7.6$\pm$1.7 mg/week, which was significantly lower than 31.4$\pm$0.9 mg/week in the regular dose group (p<0.0001). The measured INR in the low dose group was similar to that of the regular dose group (2.3$\pm$0.7 vs. 2.3$\pm$0.6, p=0.9). Even though there was a higher possibility of CYP2C9 variation in the low dose group, no polymorphism in CYP2C9 was detected. All patients were homozygous C416 in exon 3 for CYP2C9*2 and A1061 in exon 7 for CYP2C9*3. The DNA sequencing data confirmed the homozygous C416 and A 1061 alleles. In conclusion, polymorphism in CYP2C9 is not a critical factor for assessing warfarin dose requirement and risk of bleeding complications in a Korean population.