The Effect of Anticoagulants on the Penicillin Therapy and the Pathologic Lesion of Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis

Abstract

THE nature of the valvular lesions in subacute bacterial endocarditis makes the use of anticoagulants appear a logical procedure in the prevention of fibrin formation. Such agents should thereby keep the vegetative process at a minimum and theoretically render the bacteria more accessible to antibacterial agents. Also, in theory, the frequency of embolism should be reduced.Following the isolation of heparin and the demonstration of its ability to prolong the coagulation time of blood, many workers used this substance alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic and other agents in the treatment of subacute bacterial endocarditis. The results of these efforts . . .