Patient self-management of oral anticoagulation

More than six million patients worldwide are being treated with an oral anticoagulant. Dosing of the anticoagulant is usually managed by a primary care physician, cardiologist, or a specialized anticoagulation clinic. With the introduction of point-of-care testing devices, it is possible for patients to monitor their coagulation time, the international normalized ratio, at home. Selected patients, when properly trained, are capable of managing their oral anticoagulation treatment from home, so-called patient self-management (PSM). PSM has been practiced for many years in Europe, where training centers and reimbursement are well established. Because the US Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently decided to cover PSM, the practice will likely become more common in the United States. This article reviews the evidence behind the efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of PSM.