Garcia-Alamino, Josep M, Ward, Alison M, Alonso-Coello, Pablo, Perera, Rafael, Bankhead, Clare, Fitzmaurice, David, Heneghan, Carl J

The introduction of portable monitors (point-of-care devices) for the management of patients on oral anticoagulation allows self-testing by the patient at home. Patients who self-test can either adjust their medication according to a pre-determined dose-INR schedule (self-management) or they can call a clinic to be told the appropriate dose adjustment (self-monitoring). Several trials of self-monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy suggest this may be equal to or better than standard monitoring.