Anticoagulation Therapy: A Point-of-Care Guide: A Point-of-Care Guide

Anticoagulants can be dangerous drugs. Developed to save lives by preventing and treating thrombosis, these widely used medications are linked to unacceptable levels of morbidity and mortality. According to a study by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, 8.2% of hospitalized patients on warfarin and 13.6% exposed to heparin experience an adverse drug event. To prevent these events from occurring, clinicians monitor anticoagulation therapy closely. But there are still questions. What is the risk of stroke in a patient who has specified CHADS2 risk factors? What is the recommended perioperative treatment? Find life-saving solutions quickly to these challenges and more with Anticoagulation Therapy: A Point-of-Care Guide, edited by William Dager, Michael Gulseth, and Edith Nutescu.

This concise reference is designed with the busy clinician and resident in mind. It provides a quick way to access necessary clinical and therapeutic information that has the potential to improve the lives when many risk factors are at play and time is of the essence.

Inside you'll find:

• Quick reference elements such as tables figures to easily access key information
• Clinical pearls and bullets to highlight real life application
• Selected guideline statements from leading organizations
• 19 chapters covering a broad range of topics

The second book in the Point-of-Care series, Anticoagulation Therapy is led by a team of editors with more than 77 combined years of clinical experience, including insight from 19 contributors. The book is divided into three sections, including: Anticoagulation Medication Management, Conditions Requiring Anticoagulation Therapy, and Practical Monitoring and Coagulation Laboratory Insights.

William E. Dager, Pharm.D., FCSHP, FCCP, is Clinical Professor of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Pharmacy and Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of California, Davis School of Medicine, USA. Dr. Dager received his doctor of pharmacy degree from UCSF and served a residency at the University of California, Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) in Sacramento. He also completed a preceptorship in nephrology/pharmaceutical care at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.

In his role as a clinical specialist at UCDMC, Dr. Dager is responsible for managing difficult cases in anticoagulation, pharmacokinetics, and critical care.

Dr. Dager is a fellow of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) and was recently recognized as a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). In October 2008, Dr. Dager was honored with the ACCP Clinical Practice Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the area of clinical pharmacy practice.

Dr. Dager is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Sacramento Valley Society of Heath-System Pharmacists, the Anticoagulation Forum, the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Dr. Dager currently serves as an instructor and regional affiliate faculty in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) for the American Heart Association.

Dr. Dager serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for several medical journals. He is currently chairman of the Editorial Advisory Board Panel on Anticoagulation for Annals of Pharmacotherapy. He is also a 2008 site coordinator for the ASHP Foundation's anticoagulation preceptorship.

Dr. Dager has authored numerous articles, book chapters, and scientific reviews and has presented at national and international educational conferences. He is the recipient of multiple teaching awards, is an active lecturer; and is involved in several research projects in the areas of anticoagulation, critical care medicine, cardiovascular disease, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.

Michael P. Gulseth, Pharm.D., BCPS, is Program Director for Anticoagulation Services at the Sanford University of South Dakota Medical Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Services in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA. Dr. Gulseth received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1999 from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. He completed residency training at United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is lead author and editor of Managing Anticoagulation Patients in the Hospital: the Inpatient Anticoagulation Service, published in 2007 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Dr. Gulseth is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. Dr. Gulseth is an active member of several professional pharmacy organizations, including the American Society of Health- System Pharmacists, the Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the South Dakota Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. His research interests include evaluation of antithrombotic therapies in the inpatient setting and evaluation of the benefits of pharmacist managed inpatient anticoagulation services.

Edith A. Nutescu, Pharm.D., FCCP,, is Clinical Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Center for Pharmacoeconomic Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy, USA. She also serves as the Clinical Manager of the Antithrombosis Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. Dr. Nutescu earned her Pharm.D. degree with high honors at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. After graduation, Dr Nutescu went on to complete an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) - accredited Pharmacy Practice Residency at Lutheran General Hospital - Advocate Health Care and a Primary Care Specialty Residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.

As a clinician and educator, Dr. Nutescu has contributed extensively to the care of patients and the education of students and health care providers on topics related to cardiovascular therapeutics. Dr. Nutescu maintains an active clinical practice and research program. Her research and practice interests are in the areas of comparative effectiveness, health services and outcomes, with emphasis in cardiovascular diseases, stroke, thrombosis, and antithrombotic therapies.

Dr Nutescu has authored or co-authored over 100 scientific articles, book chapters, and abstracts published in the science and medical literature and has served as a reviewer for the literature in her field. Dr. Nutescu's research has been funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Center for Research Resources and is a recipient of the Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Award for 2009-2011. Dr. Nutescu is the recipient of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy's 2009 Clinical Practice Award and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists, Section of Home and Ambulatory Care Practitioners 2010 Distinguished Service Award.