- Oral anticoagulant therapy aims to reduce blood coagulation to an optimal range to prevent blood clots while minimizing bleeding risk. It is prescribed to treat and prevent conditions like pulmonary embolism, DVT, and heart valve replacements.
- Warfarin and related drugs inhibit vitamin K to prevent clotting, while newer drugs like dabigatran and rivaroxaban directly inhibit thrombin or factor X. Therapeutic ranges vary depending on the condition.
- Dental procedures can be done safely in patients on anticoagulants if INR is below 4, but risk of bleeding must be weighed against risk of clots if stopping treatment. Local measures like pressure and tranexamic