Rationale and Comments

Blood products can cause serious harm to patients, are costly, and are rarely indicated in the reversal of vitamin K antagonists. In nonemergent situations, elevations in the international normalized ratio are best addressed by holding the vitamin K antagonist and/or by administering vitamin K.

Sponsoring Organizations

• American Society of Hematology

Sources

• American College of Chest Physicians guidelines

Disciplines

• Hematologic

References

• Holbrook A, Schulman S, Witt DM, Vandvik PO, Fish J, Kovacs MJ, Svensson PJ, Veenstra DL, Crowther M, Guyatt GH; American College of Chest Physicians. Evidence-based management of anticoagulant therapy: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012 Feb;141(2 Suppl):e152S-84S.
  
• Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Antithrombotics: indications and management. Edinburgh (UK): 2012. 75 p. Report No. 129.