Protracted Dicumarol therapy prevented recurrent systemic embolism in 7 outpatients, with 0 events on therapy compared to 3 embolic episodes occurring during treatment interruptions.
Observational (n=7)
Does protracted Dicumarol therapy prevent recurrent systemic arterial embolism in outpatients with chronic rheumatic heart disease?
Protracted Dicumarol therapy appears effective in preventing recurrent systemic embolism in outpatients with rheumatic mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation.
Seven clinic outpatients with mitral stenosis and auricular fibrillation complicated by systemic embolism have been maintained on Dicumarol for periods of 20 to 48 months. None has had a recognized embolism while on therapy. Dicumarol administration has been interrupted in each case for periods of six days to four months. Three additional systemic embolic episodes in two individuals occurred during this interval. Hemorrhagic manifestations have occurred on three occasions. The study suggests that: (a) protracted Dicumarol therapy is an effective means of preventing recurrent embolism in individuals with chronic rheumatic heart disease; (b) it is applicable to the average clinic outpatient.
Wood et al. (1954) conducted an observational in Chronic rheumatic heart disease with mitral stenosis and auricular fibrillation (n=7). Dicumarol vs. Off-treatment periods (interruption of therapy) was evaluated on Systemic embolism. Protracted Dicumarol therapy prevented recurrent systemic embolism in 7 outpatients, with 0 events on therapy compared to 3 embolic episodes occurring during treatment interruptions.