THE USE OF THE ANTICOAGULANTS IN THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

Abstract

Experience in many hospitals in various sections of the world have demonstrated that anticoagulant therapy has been remarkably successful in the treatment and and prophylaxis of thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism. In May, 1942, the author began the treatment of patients with coronary thrombosis and myo-cardial infarction with Dicoumarol. The successful results of these studies were reported in Oct., 1945, and shortly thereafter confirmed by Nicol, Paige, Peters, Guyther and Brambel. In 1946, a study was set up in 16 cooperating hospitals under the auspices of the American Heart Assoc. to evaluate this problem. Figures of the first 800 cases indicate that the death rate from coronary thrombosis can be reduced 1/3 and the incidence of thrombo-embolic complications can be reduced more than 1/2 by the use of the anticoagulants. Hemorrhagic complications and failures are usually the result of inadequate control of this form of treatment. Rheumatic heart disease with auricular fibrillation and embolization has also been successfully treated with anticoagulant therapy. The need for new and better anticoagulants and tests for their control is emphasized.