[Antithrombotic agents for the prevention of thromboses during infraclavicular vena cava catheterizaiton]

To study the suppressibility of thrombosis due to central venous catheter phlebographically, groups of 25 patients were given low-dose-heparin, dextran 70 or salicylate (initial application preoperatively). The catheter was inserted for 6 to 8 days. As a control group 25 patients received no antithrombotic medication whatsoever. Of these cases 35% showed evidence of thrombus formation. In comparison only the patients with salicylate showed a significant reduction of catheter-induced thrombosis by 67%. By comparing the heparin to the control group the total of thrombotic formations when planimetrically assessed results in a ration of 1:12, which is superior to dextran and salicylate.