Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism

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Abstract
It is pertinent, in view of the recent surge of interest in the problems of venous thromboembolism, to ask if it is possible to prevent pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. The answer to this question is a qualified "Yes." Although many people still die of pulmonary embolism it is undeniable that the discovery of heparin in the 1930's provided drugs that can reduce the incidence of this disease. Scientific proof of the efficacy of anticoagulant prophylaxis was not established until Sevitt and Gallagher1 showed that oral anticoagulants given to patients who had suffered severe trauma definitely reduced the incidence . . .