EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE HEPARIN ON INCIDENCE OF POSTOPERATIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM DETECTED BY PHOTOSCANNING

Abstract In a double-blind investigation thromboembolic prophylaxis with subcutaneous low-dose heparin was studied in 112 patients admitted for elective major surgery. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed by photoscanning on the third or fourth day after operation, and plain chest X-rays were taken simultaneously. Deep vein thrombosis (D.V.T.) was detected by the 125 I-fibrinogen leg scanning technique. 58 patients were treated with heparin, each receiving 5000 units every 12 hours for 5 days, starting 2-5 hours before operation. In this group 11 patients (19%) had pulmonary embolism and/or D.V.T. Of the 54 patients in the control group 30 (56%) had pulmonary embolism and/or D.V.T. Thus low doses of heparin reduce the incidence of tromboembolism after major surgery.