[Experience with the prevention of venous thrombosis]

Current methods used for the prevention of vein thrombosis were evaluated with the help of radioisotopic investigation in 175 patients, aged 40 to 74 years, after extensive abdominal surgery. Deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs was detected by radioisotopic investigation in 6% of the patients after preventive treatment with low-dose heparin, in 14% after treatment with rheopolyglucin, and in 16% after sequential external intermittent pneumatic compression of the lower extremities, versus 26% in the group of patients who had received no special preventive treatment. As shown by the clinical pattern, most cases of thrombosis were asymptomatic. Hemorrhagic complications are extremely rare where preventive medication is used properly.