Idiopathic recurrent superficial thrombophlebitis: treatment with fibrinolytic enhancement.

Sixteen patients with idiopathic recurrent superficial thrombophlebitis were shown to have a defect of blood and tissue fibrinolytic activity. After six months' treatment with stanozolol their mean dilute blood clot lysis time and plasma fibrinogen fell significantly and the mean fibrin plate lysis area increased. Attacks of thrombophlebitis stopped completely in 13 patients, though five patients later suffered recurrences and phenformin had to be added to their treatment. Fibrinolytic enhancement with stanozolol seems to be effective in this previously intractable condition, and regular blood studies will indicate which patients also need phenformin.