Profile picture for user andrejacopo
Andrea C. Caregiver

coaguchek vs blood test

Wed, 01/17/2018 - 3:41PM
Hi, i'm from italy and i'm caregiver of my father; he was implanted with heart mate 3 LVAD and now he's slowing recovery. I have a question: anyone use coaguchek to selftest INR at home? Because some doctor says that it's ok, someone else that is better the blood test performed by the hospital. Thank you for your reply and sorry for my bad english :-)
2061 reads
Profile picture for user Beth Samson
Beth S.

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 1:07PM
Yes - my husband uses same to test INR at home. He does go to outpatient clinic as well, but does do home test as well - very accurate- no problems.
Profile picture for user Virginia__Richardson
Virginia R.

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 3:12PM
Buon giorno Andrea, Come stai? Mi chaima Gina. I am a Heartmate II recipient since 2012. I live in New York and love Italy very much. Do you live in Italy or USA? I do perform my INR Coag tests at home and have a follow up once a month at the lab. The results are very accurate. It is also convenient and completely safe. Please let me know how your father is doing. A presto, Gina
Profile picture for user Mariza
Mariza M.

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 6:43PM
Hi, I ‘ve been leaving with Heartmate 2 since 2015 and I’m currently using Coaguchek for a while. I stablished a data set to compare lab and coaguchek INR measurements and, on average, the results are generally around 0,2-0,3 lower in the laboratory exam. According to the manufacturer a difference between the two methods until 0.5 is acceptable. The episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding reduced significantly after the INR control for Varfarin dosage with Coaguchek In alternate days.
Profile picture for user andrejacopo
Andrea C.

Thu, 01/25/2018 - 2:48PM
Thanks a lot! We live in Italy next to Milano; my father is still in rehab center because he has some problem with INR, low emoglobine and electrolities such ad sodium and potassium:One day sodium is low, another day potassium is low bus he feels better. Today’s problem is fluid retention (swelling ankles):doctor says that he has low albumine so we are doing IV albumine and diuretics. Does anyone had this problem of fluid retention? Thanks a lot to this group, everyday fightning heart failure and understanding lvad is very difficult.