The Management and Mismanagement of Acute Venous Thrombosis (Thrombophlebitis) of the Extremities

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Abstract
In the treatment of acute venous thrombosis of the extremities, bed rest and antibiotics are not only useless but dangerous. Fibrinolysin is of doubtful value, is very expensive, requires complicated laboratory techniques and carries the hazard of homologous serum hepatitis. Ligation of the inferior vena cava should be reserved for the rare patient with pelvic or lower extremity venous thrombosis who fails to respond to adequate intravenous heparin therapy, or for a patient for whom anticoagulant therapy is contraindicated. In our opinion, intermittent intravenous heparin, when combined with early ambulation and elastic support, is the treatment of choice for acute thrombophlebitis and pulmonary embolism.