Treatment of lower extremity superficial vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin.

AIM: The aim of our study was to ascertain the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in the treatment of patients with SVT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 336 outpatients with clinical diagnosis of SVT was evaluated in this prospective study. At the beginning of the study all patients were examined by clinical investigation, laboratory tests and duplex ultrasound investigation (examination). All patients included into the study were treated with LMWH. Clinical and ultrasound evaluation was carried out on days 10, 30 and 90 of the follow-up. This clinical study of SVT treatment with LMWH was organized in 18 outpatient departments in the Slovak Republic. RESULTS: After 10 days of treatment with LMWH in full therapeutic dosage, an improvement in the clinical symptoms was demonstrated in 93 % of patients; a complete resolution of clinical symptoms was demonstrated in 4 % of patients. On day 30 (after 10 days of LMWH treatment in full therapeutic dosage and further treatment in halved therapeutic dosage up to 20 days) a complete resolution of clinical symptoms was observed in 59 % (n = 189) of patients. Patients were further clinically evaluated on day 90, after two months of no anticoagulation treatment. The clinical evaluation revealed a complete resolution of symptoms in 88 % (n = 283) of patients and improvement in symptoms in 11.6 % (n = 34). Two patients developed pulmonary embolization; extension of SVT was seen in one patient and SVT recurrence in two patients. CONCLUSION: Superficial vein thrombosis can propagate into the deep veins with the risk of pulmonary embolism. The results indicate that current ambulatory treatment regimen using LMWH in the treatment of SVT is effective and safe (Fig. 4, Ref. 30).

[Peripheral arterial disease of extremities--guidelines for diagnostic and treatment]. / Odporúcania pre diagnostiku a liecbu periférneho artériového ochorenia koncatín (PAO).

Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines of peripheral arterial disease of extremities recommanded by five scientific societies of Slovak Medical Association (Slovak Angiological Society, Slovak Society for Vascular Surgery, Slovak Cardiologic Society, Slovak Internal Society and Slovak Radiologic Society) are discussed in this article. Peripheral arterial disease (PAO) of extremities is an important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis The lower the ankle-brachial pressure index, the greater the risk of serious cardiovascular events (e.g. myocardial infarction, stroke). Nevertheless, patients with PAO are undertreated with regard to use of antiplatelet drugs or lipid-lowering drugs, as compared with patients with coronary artery disease.