Summary
The efficacy of combined dihydroergotamine and heparin (DHE-heparin) medication (2500 IU sodium heparin and 0.5 mg DHE, both given subcutaneously twice daily) or low doses of heparin (5,000 IU of sodium heparin given subcutaneously thrice daily) in preventing postoperative thromboembolic complications was investigated in a prospective, randomized trial in 125 patients over the age of 40 years undergoing elective major gynecological surgery. The I125-fibrinogen uptake test was used for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolism between the groups. Major bleeding occurred less often (p < 0.05) in the DHE-heparin group.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Buttermann G (1977) Heparin-Dihydergot — das neue Konzept zur Thromboembolieprophylaxe. In: Pabst HW, Maurer G (Hrsg) Postoperative Thromboembolieprophylaxe. Schattauer, Stuttgart New York, pp 75–93
Gallus AS, Hirsh J, O'Brien SE, McBride JA, Tuttle RJ, Gent M (1976) Prevention of venous thrombosis with small subcutaneous doses of heparin. JAMA 235: 1980
Gruber UF, Duckert F, Fridrich R, Torhorst J, Rem J (1977) Prevention of postoperative thromboembolism by dextran 40, low doses of heparin or xantinol nicotinate. Lancet 1: 207
Hohl MK, Lüscher KP, Tichý J, Stiner M, Fridrich R, Gruber UF, Käser O (1980) Prevention of postoperative thromboembolism by dextran 70 or low dose heparin. Obstet Gynecol 55: 497
Jung W, Fridrich R, Duckert F, Gruber UF (1975) Der Radiofibrinogentest zur Diagnose frischer tiefer Venenthrombosen. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 105: 391
Kakkar VV (1975) Prevention of fatal pulmonary embolism by low doses of heparin. An international multicentre trial. Lancet II: 45
Kakkar VV (1977) Potentiation of anti Xa activity — another aspect of the synergistic effect of heparin and dihydergot. In: Pabst HW, Maurer G (Hrsg) Postoperative Thromboembolieprophylaxe. Schattauer, Stuttgart New York, pp 183–184
Kline A, Hughes LE, Campbell H, Williams A, Zlosnick J, Leach KG (1975) Dextran 70 in prophylaxis of thromboembolic disease after surgery: a clinically oriented randomized doubleblind trial. Br Med J 2: 109
Koppenhagen K, Wiechmann A, Frey E, Wenig HG, Latka H, Zühlke H-V, Tank E, Hardieck J, Ernst H, Häring R (1977) Klinisch experimentelle Ergebnisse mit Heparin-Dihydroergotamin. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 102: 1374
Kunz S, Drähne A, Briel C (1977) Prophylaxe der postoperativen Thromboembolie-Erfahrungen mit Heparin-Dihydergot in der Gynäkologie. In: Pabst HW, Maurer G (Hrsg) Postoperative Thromboembolieprophylaxe. Schattauer, Stuttgart New York, pp 133–144
Mellander S, Nordenfelt J (1970) Comparative effects of dihydroergotamine and noradrenaline on resistance, exchange, and capacitance functions in the peripheral circulation. Clin Sci 39: 183
Schorr DM, Gruber UF (1977) Prophylaxe thromboembolischer Komplikationen in der operativen Gynäkologie. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 37: 291
Stamatakis JD, Kakkar VV, Lawrence D, Ward VP (1977) Synergistic effect of heparin and dihydroergotamine in the prophylaxis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. In: Pabst HW, Maurer G (Hrsg) Postoperative Thromboembolieprophylaxe. Schattauer, Stuttgart New York, pp 109–118
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hohl, M.K., Lüscher, K.P., Annaheim, M. et al. Dihydroergotamine and heparin or heparin alone for the prevention of postoperative thromboembolism in gynecology. Arch. Gynecol. 230, 15–19 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02108594
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02108594