FREQUENCY OF VENOUS THROMBOSIS AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Abstract 37% of 90 patients admitted to a coronary-care unit who were not anticoagulated developed isotopic evidence of calf-vein thrombosis. Patients who had pre-existing varicose veins, a more severe and complicated illness, or who were over 70 years of age had an increased frequency of calf-vein thrombosis. Clinical signs and symptoms do not help in establishing the diagnosis, although tenderness over a vein is suggestive. Proximal extension occurred in 5 patients (7 limbs); these patients were then anticoagulated. Major pulmonary embolus did not occur in this series, and detectable episodes of pulmonary embolism were uncommon. No complications were associated with the technique.