The effect of preoperative vitamin K on the INR in bridging therapy

Int J Hematol. 2015 Mar;101(3):264-7. doi: 10.1007/s12185-015-1744-x. Epub 2015 Jan 31.

Abstract

We investigated a bridging protocol using oral Vitamin K three days before scheduled surgery. 60 patients in two bridging protocols, 30 cases per protocol. The first cohort (Control group) had its warfarin held on Day-5 (five days before surgery). The intervention cohort (Vitamin K group) routinely received 2.5 mg of oral Vitamin K on Day-3 but was otherwise identically bridged. Primary outcome was INR on Day-1. Secondary outcomes included patients with INRs ≥1.5 on Day-1, bleeding episodes and elevated INR post surgery. Day-1 INR for the Vitamin K group was 1.16, vs. 1.28 for the Control group (p = 0.037). Postoperative INR was similar. Only the Control group had patients with INRs ≥1.5 on Day-1, or patients with significant bleeding. Adding Vitamin K on Day-3 leads to a safe preoperative INR and may limit other complications.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • International Normalized Ratio
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Preoperative Period
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin K / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin K / therapeutic use*
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Vitamin K
  • Warfarin