Definition

Wafarin is a vitamin K antagonist that belongs to the family of drugs called anticoagulants ("blood thinners, " although it does not actually thin the blood). The brand name of warfarin in the U.S. is Coumadin.

Purpose

Wafarin is used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and to help prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. It is also used for the long-term treatment of thromboembolic disease, a common side effect of cancer.

One of the most common hematological complications is disordered coagulation. Approximately 15% of all cancer patients are affected by thromboembolic disease, and it is the second leading cause of death for cancer patients. However, thromboembolic disease may represent only one of many complications in end-stage...