No veindraws are necessary for an INR. I've used finger stick with 'Coagucheck' for over 20 yrs. You can maintain good control checking yourself every 2 weeks.
Got the aortic mechanical valve in 1999 at age 66. Warfarin control is easy after a few weeks of using the Roche coagucheck meter. I test at home every 2 weeks and report on line. Range is INR 2.5 to 3.5. Average 3 MG warfarin daily and using 1 MG tabs for adjustments. Before coagucheck (managed...
I have checked my CoaguChek XS twice when I had unusual, unexpected results. Both times the hospital lab was within 0.1 INR. I have had the XS for 8 years with no problems.
I've been at 38 to 45, rarely in the low 50s, for 21 years after mechanical aortic valve. No problems. Alarms go off when I'm being monitored for medical procedures.
I posted this somewhere else already. I had 2 occasions to double check coagucheck when my test hit 2.0. (should be 2.5 to 3.5.). Hospital check same day showed 2.1 and another time 2.0. I feel secure in my coagucheck readings.
Had 2 occasions to check coagucheck results with hospital lab when I suspected the home results. Both tests were done within 3 to 4 hours and results were both within 0.1 of home INR. I'm impressed.