[Prevention of postoperative thrombo-embolism by heparin/dihydroergotamine (author's transl]

Using the radiofibrinogen test and perfusion lung scanning (2-phase pharmacoscintigraphy), the incidence of postoperative thrombosis and pulmonary embolism was determined in a group of 362 operated patients. Low-dose heparin administration (twice 5000 IU daily) was given to 162, combined heparin and dihydroergotamine administration (5000 IU heparin and 0.5 mg dihydroergotamine daily) to 150, while 50 patients received no prophylactic treatment. There was a significant decrease in thrombo-embolism in the heparin/DHE group (8.7% deep-vein thrombosis; 2.7% pulmonary embolism) compared with the heparin group (19.8% and 5.5%, respectively) and the control group (30% and 14%, respectively).