Ischemic phlebitis and venous gangrene

: Seventeen cases of ischaemising phlebitis and 5 of venous gangrene are reported. Attention is given to the aetiopathogenetic factors that lead to massive thrombosis and dramatic progression of the disease: depression of vascular heparin, polyglobulia, serious dysproteinaemia, marked involvement of the arterial district, etc. Treatment may be medical or surgical, based on large doses of anticoagulants, low-weight dextrane and thrombolytic drugs, though the results expected are not always obtained. At present, early venous disobstruction with a Fogarty catheter, coupled with prolonged anticoagulant management is the best course. Prognosis is certainly better in ischaemia. When gangrene sets in, prognosis is particularly poor, even as far as survival is concerned, due to serious concomitant shock.