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Heparin in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis after myocardial infarction
British Medical Journal
|May 20, 1972
Insights
Continuous intravenous heparin effectively prevented deep vein thrombosis in myocardial infarction patients. This study found zero instances of venous thrombosis in heparinized patients compared to 29% in the control group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant complication following myocardial infarction (MI).
- Preventive strategies for DVT in post-MI patients are crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of continuous intravenous heparin in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- To assess the incidence of DVT in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) receiving heparin versus a control group.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 48 patients with myocardial infarction.
- Patients were divided into two groups: 24 receiving continuous intravenous heparin and 24 as a control group.
- Radioactive fibrinogen technique was used to detect calf vein thrombosis.
Main Results:
- None of the 24 patients receiving heparin developed venous thrombosis.
- Seven out of 24 control patients (29%) developed calf vein thrombosis.
- The observed difference in DVT incidence between groups was statistically significant at the 1% level.
Conclusions:
- Continuous intravenous heparin administration is highly effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis in patients post-myocardial infarction.
- Heparin therapy significantly reduces the risk of DVT compared to no treatment in this patient population.
- These findings support the use of prophylactic heparin in managing myocardial infarction patients to prevent venous thromboembolism.
Abstract:
A trial of continuous intravenous heparin in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis was undertaken in 48 patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction. Of the 24 control patients who did not receive heparin seven (29%) developed calf vein thrombosis as detected by the radioactive fibrinogen technique. None of the 24 heparinized patients had any evidence of venous thrombosis. This difference is significant at the 1% level.