Abstract
In patients receiving warfarin potassium anticoagulant therapy, alteration of warfarin potassium administration prior to and following dental extractions increases the risk of thromboembolisms. We investigated if there exist the risk of thromboembolisms due to alteration of warfarin administration by evaluating the changes of PT-INR (prothrombin time international normalized ratio) prior to and following dental extractions.
Subjects enrolled in this study were 83 warfarinised patients that required dental extractions from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2004 (Maintained group: 25, Reduced group: 11, Reduced and interrupted group: 4, Interrupted group: 35, Heparinized group: 8).
Our study findings suggested that the four groups with the exception of the Maintained group have a risk of thromboembolisms for 7.5 days. In the Maintained group, on case was difficult to attain hemostasis after dental extraction. Therefore, our study findings are suggestive that dental extractions under maintenance doses are possible for cases requiring non-complicated dental extractions if the PT-INR is 3.0 or less.
