Final answer:
Therapeutic Warfarin is monitored by the Prothrombin Time, aiming to achieve an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 2-3 times the normal level to prevent blood clots while minimizing bleeding risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Therapeutic Warfarin is used in medicine to prevent thromboembolic events such as strokes and heart attacks by anticoagulating the blood, meaning it makes the blood less likely to clot. The effectiveness and safety of Warfarin are monitored by measuring the Prothrombin Time (PT), which is how long it takes for blood to clot. Therapeutically, the goal is to maintain the PT at a certain ratio compared to normal clotting time, which is referred to as the International Normalized Ratio (INR).
For most indications, including prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction, Warfarin therapy aims to achieve an INR of 2-3 times the normal value. This therapeutic range ensures that blood is sufficiently anticoagulated to prevent clots while minimizing the risk of bleeding complications.