HSI-YU YULin M.-H.LIAN-YU LINCHIH-HSIEN WANGNAI-HSIN CHIYIH-SHARNG CHEN2019-11-272019-11-2720181346-9843https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85044259800&doi=10.1253%2fcircj.CJ-17-1172&partnerID=40&md5=4d8c1fe20a92a6e7f5593ee5dad4923fhttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/433955Background: Asian patients on warfarin therapy usually have lower international normalized ratio (INR) intensities than those recommended by Western clinical practice guidelines. This study evaluated whether a high INR reduces the incidence of thromboembolism (TE) or bleeding events in Asian patients with high CHA2DS2-VASc scores after valve surgery.Methods and Results:Data of adult patients after valve surgery were retrieved from an integrated healthcare information system of a single hospital between 2014 and 2016. The INR was derived from the closest laboratory data before the index outpatient-clinic visit date. The endpoint of every record was determined as emergency room visit or hospitalization because of TE or bleeding event. A total of 37 TE or bleeding events were retrieved from 8,207 records; the annual incidence rate were 1.2% and 2.8% for low (0-2) and high (3-8) CHA2DS2-VASc score groups, respectively (P=0.007). The incidence rates were lowest for both groups at an INR of 1.5-2.0. High INR intensities did not reduce TE or bleeding incidence. INR >3.0 was associated with increased TE or bleeding incidence in the high-score group (6.8%/year vs. 2.0%/year, P=0.079). Conclusions: The optimal INR is 1.5-2.5 for low- or high-score Asian patients after valve surgery. INR >3.0 was associated with increased TE or bleeding incidence in the high-score group.enAnticoagulationChineseFollow-up studyValve surgeryWarfarin[SDGs]SDG3anticoagulant agent; warfarin; anticoagulant agent; adult; aged; Article; bleeding; brain ischemia; CHA2DS2-VASc score; diabetes mellitus; female; health care system; heart valve surgery; hospitalization; human; hypertension; ICD-9; incidence; major clinical study; male; middle aged; risk factor; thromboembolism; xenograft; Asian continental ancestry group; bleeding; heart valve; international normalized ratio; postoperative care; procedures; retrospective study; risk assessment; standards; surgery; thromboembolism; very elderly; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Heart Valves; Hemorrhage; Humans; Incidence; International Normalized Ratio; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Care; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Thromboembolism; Warfarinjournal article10.1253/circj.CJ-17-1172293675152-s2.0-85044259800