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Inhibition of warfarin anticoagulation associated with chelation therapy
Heidi Braun Grebe1, Philip J Gregory
1Munson Healthcare, Inc, Traverse City, Michigan, USA.
Insights
Chelation therapy may reduce warfarin
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chelation therapy, initially for heavy metal poisoning, is now used for conditions like coronary heart disease.
- Warfarin is a common anticoagulant medication.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old male patient's warfarin anticoagulation was impaired after chelation therapy.
- His international normalized ratio (INR) decreased significantly post-therapy.
Findings:
- The study observed a potential interaction between chelation therapy and warfarin.
- Chelation therapy might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin anticoagulation.
Implications:
- Clinicians should monitor INR closely in patients receiving both treatments.
- Further research is needed to confirm this interaction and its clinical significance.
Abstract:
Chelation therapy originally was administered exclusively to patients with heavy metal poisoning. Now some physicians are administering this therapy for numerous conditions, most commonly coronary heart disease. A 64-year-old man experienced impaired warfarin anticoagulation after undergoing chelation therapy His international normalized ratio (INR) fell from 2.6 the day before to 1.6 the day after therapy was administered. Whether chelation therapy decreases the effectiveness of warfarin anticoagulation is uncertain. However, because of this potential interaction, clinicians should consider increased INR monitoring in patients undergoing chelation therapy.