REGRESSION OF DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS BY IV-ADMINISTRATION OF A LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN - RESULTS OF A PILOT-STUDY

Twenty-five patients with phlebographically confirmed deep vein thromb osis of the lower limb were treated with intravenous infusions of low molecular weigh heparin for 7 to 29 days. The mean dosage was 15.2 +/- 3.0 Uanti-Xa (equivalent 7.6 +/- 1.5 U-aPTT). Phlebograms were taken before, during and after the treatment with low molecular weight hepar in and evaluated using the score system of Marder. Nearly complete rec analization of the occluded veins was found in six (24 %) patients, im provement of the Marder score of 60 to 90 % was found in four patients and of 30 to 60 % in seven patients, while eight patients remained un changed. With an average dose of 15.2 I.U./kg/h the heptest was prolon ged to 70 to 120 seconds while the aPTT-level did not significantly in crease. tPA-antigen-levels increased significantly in most of the pati ents after the third day of treatment, while PAI-activity remained unc hanged. A positive conclusion between the decrease of the Marder score and the duration of treatment was found. Thus the low molecular weigh t heparin used in this investigation proved to be effective and safe i n treating deep vein thrombosis.