[From the history of thrombosis prevention and treatment]

Rudolf Virchow described not only his famous triad in the 1840s but also the relationship between thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was recognized as postoperative complication from the 1890s. The preventive measures were directed against the factor blood stasis until heparin was applied clinically in the 1930s. The Swiss surgeon K. Lenggenhager was probably the first who recommended low dose heparin prophylaxis in 1940 on a rational experimental basis. Perhaps because his results were published only in German this application form became not popular before the great studies of Kakkar in the 70s took place. The introduction of low molecular weight heparins in the 80s simplifies prophylaxis and therapy of DVT again. The descriptions of deficiency of natural coagulation inhibitors start with antithrombin III in 1961. The recent discovery of the molecular basis of activated protein C resistance made history today.