September 8. 2008 - Inverness Medical Physician Diagnostics Group, a division of Inverness Medical Innovations, today launched the INRatio2 PT/INR Monitoring System, a portable device that measures blood-clotting time, also known as prothrombin time, using one drop of blood from a patient’s finger.
The INRatio2 is used by healthcare professionals and their patients in the management of warfarin, a blood-thinning drug, to monitor the effectiveness of the drug and warn of potential blood clots and other bleeding risks. Warfarin, also sold under the brand name Coumadin, is prescribed to patients to prevent blood clots, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis, and stroke. Warfarin is the second most common cause of emergency room visits related to adverse drug events, trailing only insulin. The FDA estimates 2 million Americans start taking warfarin every year, and many will take the drug for the rest of their lives. Due to the serious bleeding risks associated with warfarin, the FDA has labeled it with a “black box” warning, informing consumers of the major and potentially fatal risks, and indicating that patients should have their PT/INR monitored regularly.
The INRatio2 PT/INR Monitoring System has been cleared by the FDA for warfarin patients to test themselves at home, offering patients quick access to their PT/INR results. The test results are then transmitted to their treating physician by telephone or the Internet. The results provide important data that helps physicians make informed warfarin dosing adjustments to ensure that patients stay within their recommended therapeutic range. Warfarin can be difficult to manage due to the wide variance in each patient’s response to the drug, in addition to factors such as diet, age, illness, and interaction with other drugs, the company said.
The INRatio2 offers many patient-friendly features, including a one-minute test time, easy single button interface, and 200-test battery life. Its simple fingerstick test procedure, light weight (9.3 oz), and individually-sealed test strip packaging enables patients to easily test themselves at home or when traveling.
For more information: www.hemosense.com
July 10, 2024 
