What is the goal of warfarin therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction?

Warfarin therapy in the context of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is primarily aimed at preventing further thromboembolic events, particularly in patients who are at high risk for developing additional blood clots. The preferred international normalized ratio (INR) for patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy with warfarin following an MI generally falls within the range of 2.0 to 3.0.

Setting the INR at about 2.5 strikes an appropriate balance; it is often considered optimal for the prevention of clot formation without increasing the risk of significant bleeding complications. An INR of 2.5 indicates that the blood's coagulation ability has been sufficiently inhibited to reduce clot formation, making it highly effective in the management of patients post-MI who may have additional risk factors such as atrial fibrillation or a history of thromboembolic events.

Lower INR targets, such as 1.5 or 2.0, typically do not provide adequate anticoagulation for patients at heightened risk for thrombus formation after an MI. Conversely, maintaining an INR at 3.0 raises the risk of bleeding complications without providing significant additional benefits towards reducing thromboembolic risk.

In summary, an INR of 2.5