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Prophylaxis of postoperative venous thrombosis in a controlled trial comparing dextran 70 and low-dose heparin

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Abstract

A controlled, randomized trial comparing dextran 70 and low-dose heparin with no treatment for prophylaxis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis is reported. A total of 168 patients who underwent general and urologic surgical operations participated in the trial. The125I-fibrinogen test was used for diagnosis. The frequency of deep venous thrombosis was 27% in controls, 29% in patients who also received dextran 70, and 13% in patients treated with low-dose heparin. Only heparin therapy reduced the incidence of thrombosis. Epidural analgesia did not reduce the frequency of thrombosis. In patients with malignant diseases, the thrombotic process always extended proximally, at least to the knee. The highest frequency of thrombosis was seen after urologic surgery. Complications did not differ between the groups.

Résumé

Nous avons, dans une étude contrôlée et randomisée de la prophylaxie des thromboses veineuses profondes postopératoires, comparé les effets du dextran 70, de l'héparine à faible dose et de l'absence de toute thérapeutique. L'étude a porté sur 168 opérés de chirurgie générale et urologique. Le diagnostic de thrombose veineuse a été confirmé par test au fibrinogène marqué à I125. La fréquence des thromboses profondes est de 27% chez les témoins, 29% chez les malades recevant du dextran 70, 13% après héparine à faible dose. Seule l'héparinothérapie réduit la fréquence des thromboses. Celle-ci n'est pas modifiée par l'anesthésie épidurale. Chez les malades atteints de cancer, la thrombose s'étend toujours en direction proximale, au moins jusqu'au genou. La fréquence des thromboses est maximale après chirurgie urologique. La fréquence des complications est la même dans les 3 groupes de malades.

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  1. Department of Surgery, Kärnsjukhuset, Skövde, Sweden

    David Bergqvist M.D. & Torgil Hallböök M.D.

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  1. David Bergqvist M.D.
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  2. Torgil Hallböök M.D.
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Bergqvist, D., Hallböök, T. Prophylaxis of postoperative venous thrombosis in a controlled trial comparing dextran 70 and low-dose heparin. World J. Surg. 4, 239–243 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393589

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