What is the importance of starting warfarin alongside heparin for a patient?

Starting warfarin alongside heparin is crucial because warfarin requires time to reach its therapeutic effect. Warfarin functions as a vitamin K antagonist that inhibits the synthesis of certain clotting factors and can take several days to achieve adequate anticoagulation levels in the blood. By initiating heparin therapy concurrently, which acts quickly to provide immediate anticoagulation, healthcare providers ensure that the patient is protected from thromboembolic events during the period when warfarin is still building its effect. This strategy facilitates a seamless transition to a stable, long-term anticoagulation therapy with warfarin once the INR (International Normalized Ratio) levels are within the desired range, thus maximizing patient safety and treatment efficacy.