VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLIC DISEASE

Abstract

The active rational medical prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism by the use of heparin has been discouraged because of the involved technical procedures required for maintaining continuous anticoagulant effects. Although recent reports on the routine use of dicumarol have been promising,¹ the potential hazards, the unpredictable treatment failures and the requisite complicated laboratory controls do not make this drug the anticoagulant of choice.² The therapeutic attack up to the present has been based, for the most part, on the surgical interruption of the continuity of the clot-bearing vein or veins. Our purpose in this communication is to propose a safe, rational method of heparinization for the conservative treatment of thromboembolic disease which obviates previous objections to the use of this drug. Recognition of the increasing incidence of venous thrombosis in the calf of the leg and in the plantar area has stimulated renewed interest in the problem of intravascular