Assessing hyperanticoagulation of dental patients undergoing warfarin therapy

Patients often undergo a number of dental procedures that may cause bleeding. Usually these procedures can be performed with little risk to the patient. However, patients on medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) have an altered ability to control, bleeding and may develop bleeding problems subsequent to treatment. Once this potential problem has been recognized, measures can be taken to minimize the risks. Patients on warfarin are on specific medication protocols and often exhibit episodes of hyperanticoagulation. The purpose of this study was to assess patients on warfarin protocols for episodes of hyperanticoagulation. Sixty-two patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy with warfarin were assessed for episodes of hyperanticoagulation with the prothrombin test. Based on these results, it can be concluded that patients taking warfarin had an approximately 42% chance of at least one episode of hyperanticoagulation. No specific warfarin protocol demonstrated any statistical significance for an increased chance of hyperanticoagulation.