Beta-thromboglobulin levels in relation to myocardial infarction--preliminary observations

34 patients with myocardial infarction were studied with daily measurements of beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) and 125I fibrinogen scanning in order to detect deep-venous thrombosis (DVT). Serial levels of BTG were unhelpful in the early detection of this condition, which occurred in 7 of the patients studied. 5 of the patients with DVT had received prophylactic heparin and 6 of them were non-smokers. This latter observation is in support of previous studies suggesting an increased incidence of DVT after myocardial infarction in non-smokers as compared to smokers.