Administration of Dicoumarin Compound for Prophylaxis of Postoperative Thrombosis and Embolism

The practical value of the use of an agent to prolong the clotting time of the blood in the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disease has been amply demonstrated. Administration of an anticoagulant, such as heparin, has been found to be safe for operative patients immediately after1or even before operation.2Heparin has reduced the expected occurrence of thrombosis and embolism in operative patients.1It has served well in the management of patients with nonfatal pulmonary embolism.1It has materially reduced the morbidity rate associated with thrombophlebitis.1The principles of its use have been established. But two factors, the expense and the comparative difficulty of administration, have tempered the enthusiasm for heparin and prevented its acceptance as a measure available to all. For this reason the results of the use of another anticoagulant, dicoumarin compound, 3,3′-methylenebis-4-hydroxycoumarin,3have been studied in order to explore its