Warfarin is one of the most frequently prescribed oral anticoagulant. Many researches have shown that the cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1) genotypes have been strongly associated with warfarin maintenance doses. Warfarin maintenance doses can be accurately predicted by use of dosing algorithms including genetic and clinical information. Although several clinical trials demonstrated mixed results, calling into question the utility of this approach. The present data do not support genetic testing to guide warfarin maintenance doses, but in the setting where genotype data are available, use of this approach is reasonable. Ongoing trials are expected to provide more data, and more work is needed to define dosing algorithms that include appropriate variables in minority populations. All these work will further improve the clinical application of genotype-guided warfarin maintenance doses.
