Capillary whole blood monitoring of oral anticoagulants in children in outpatient clinics and the home setting

A whole blood prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) moni tor (CoaguChek, Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis, IN) was assessed in children for its accuracy, reliability, safety, and acceptance by health ca re personnel and patient's families. The PT/INR values measured by the Coag uChek monitor showed an excellent correlation with PT/INR values measured b y the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) laboratory (r = 0.96) and Hamilton C ivic Hospitals Research Centre (HCHRC) laboratory (r = 0.92) in clinic pati ents and a close correlation with PT/INR values measured by the HSC laborat ory (r = 0.76) and HCHRC laboratory (r = 0.74) in patients at home. Reduced correlation in the home setting did not adversely affect clinical manageme nt. The whole blood PT/INR monitor is safe and accurate for children requir ing oral anticoagulation therapy in either the outpatient clinic or home se tting.