HEPARIN THERAPY IN ACUTE DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Abstract

In the summer of 1940 at the Mariestad Hospital a method was introduced for treating thrombosis of the deep veins of the leg, the main principles of which were (1) early diagnosis, (2) intensive heparin treatment and (3) early mobilization. This procedure has now been in routine use without an alteration for more than five years. The combination of measures characterizing this method was the result of studies on thrombosis and embolism which have been in progress at Mariestad since 1938. In the course of these investigations phlebograms were made on nearly 600 patients, all relevant clinical data being at the same time noted and compared with the roentgenologic findings. The conditions in acute deep thrombosis of the leg were studied in 246 cases. In another group, nearly as large, an examination was made of what might be called the chronic stage of the disease, i.e. the fate of thrombosis