Anticoagulation monitoring using point-of-care testing combined with mobile remote management in postoperative cardiac valve replacement patients receiving warfarin therapy: A single-center cross-sectional study.

Lifelong anticoagulation monitoring is essential for mechanical heart valve recipients. While conventional hospital-based monitoring creates significant patient and system burdens, combining mobile remote monitoring (MRM) with point-of-care testing (POCT) may provide a more efficient solution. This study evaluated whether MRM + POCT enhances warfarin therapy quality and patient outcomes. This study compared conventional anticoagulation management versus MRM + POCT in 148 post-valve replacement patients (74 per group). The conventional cohort underwent standard in-hospital testing and received anticoagulation management guidance from outpatient clinic physicians. In contrast, the MRM + POCT group utilized POCT for self-monitoring, with anticoagulation therapy guided remotely by physicians via the MRM system. We assessed prothrombin time/international normalized ratio values, time to therapeutic anticoagulation, time in the therapeutic range, costs, complications, and satisfaction over 12 months. Compared with conventional anticoagulation management, MRM + POCT resulted in superior outcomes: Faster therapeutic anticoagulation (P < .01), a greater time in the therapeutic range (P < .05), fewer complications (P < .05), lower costs (P < .01), and better satisfaction (P < .01), demonstrating improved clinical and patient-centered outcomes. Additionally, both clinicians and patients found the integrated system user-friendly, easy to master, and expressed a strong intention to continue its use. MRM + POCT optimizes warfarin therapy by improving efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness while enhancing patient outcomes, supporting its implementation as standard care for remote anticoagulation management.