Self-testing device for warfarin monitoring to hit US market this summer
The first coagulation monitoring device with built-in Bluetooth technology is expected to be commercially available this summer to warfarin patients in the United States, according to device-maker Roche Diagnostics.
The CoaguChek Vantus system uses a drop of blood from a patient’s fingertip to test how quickly that person’s blood clots. Establishing this can inform the proper dosage of warfarin and help the patient stay within the targeted range, which reduces the risk of blood clots or excessive bleeding.
And with the Bluetooth technology, these self-test results can be sent directly to physicians using a compatible smartphone or tablet application.
"As healthcare systems face continued pressure to deliver improved access to care at a lower cost, increased connectivity between healthcare providers and patients becomes even more important," Alan Wright, MD, MPH, Roche’s chief medical officer, said in a press release. "This innovative technology sets the standard in coagulation monitoring by providing high quality, convenient testing, while optimizing the patient result reporting workflow.”
Daniel joined TriMed’s Chicago editorial team in 2017 as a Cardiovascular Business writer. He previously worked as a writer for daily newspapers in North Dakota and Indiana.