Controlled Trial of Ancrod and Streptokinase in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis of Lower Limb

Summary. Treatment with ancrod (‘Arvin’) or streptokinase (‘Kabikinase’) was allocated randomly to 34 patients with deep vein thrombosis of the leg. In all the diagnosis was confirmed by venography. Treatment was given for 4 days and venography was repeated in 32 patients.‘Blind’assessment of venograms performed before and after treatment showed that there was significantly more lysis of thrombi in the streptolunase treated group (P< 0.0005). The majority of patients in each group showed some clinical improvement but there was little or no appreciable difference in symptoms and signs between the two groups 3 mth after treatment. Sidc effects were more common with streptokinase treatment than with ancrod.