Acenocoumarol and Heparin Compared with Acenocoumarol Alone in the Initial Treatment of Proximal-Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

In most countries, heparin is used in the initial treatment of patients with deep-vein thrombosis. Well-designed studies establishing the efficacy of heparin therapy are lacking, however. Treatment with acenocoumarol alone, according to the hypothesis that high dosages of oral anticoagulants obviate the need for heparin, is considered an effective alternative in some countries.