[Thrombophlebitis--basic principles of treatment]

Therapeutic strategies in deep vein thrombosis are yielding possible prevention of life-threatening pulmonary thromboembolism and extension of thrombosis. In order to prevent long term sequelae, i.e., the postthrombotic syndrome, recanalization is necessary before venous valves have been destroyed. Therapeutical guidelines comprise immobilization (except isolated calf vein thrombosis), compression therapy and anticoagulation. Thrombolysis may be performed in patients in whom extension and localization of thrombosis may result in a postthrombotic syndrome, if thrombosis is not older than 1-2 weeks, if there are no concomitant diseases which make it uncertain for the patient to experience postthrombotic syndrome, and in the absence of contraindications.