What does an INR of 2.5 indicate for a patient on warfarin?

An INR (International Normalized Ratio) of 2.5 indicates that the patient's blood coagulation is being effectively managed by warfarin therapy, but it is also somewhat elevated above the typical therapeutic range of 2.0 to 3.0 for most conditions that require anticoagulation, such as atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism.

When considering surgical procedures, especially those that may pose a higher risk for bleeding, it is crucial to assess the patient's INR level. An INR of 2.5 suggests that the risk of bleeding may be increased during surgery, thus the standard practice often involves temporarily pausing warfarin therapy before such procedures to minimize the bleeding risk. This practice allows the INR to decrease back towards a safer level prior to surgical intervention.

The safety margin for surgical procedures can vary depending on the type of surgery planned, but generally, an INR of 2.5 would prompt a recommendation to discontinue warfarin therapy prior to surgery, ensuring that the patient is at a reduced risk for excessive bleeding during the procedure.