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P. A. OWREN, M.D.

Arch Intern Med. 1963;111(2):240-247.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

When one is faced with the problem of selecting patients for anticoagulant therapy or for evaluating results of such therapy, there are 3 main points which must be considered.

1. We are concerned with a prophylactic and not a curative measure. Therefore, it is in fact too late to start prophylaxis when thrombosis has already occurred. The only effect which can be hoped for under such circumstances is to prevent additional, secondary thrombi, locally or at other sites.
   
2. The antithrombotic efficacy depends on: (a) the level of hypocoagulability actually obtained and (b) the stability of this level. These are critical points which are too often neglected when therapeutic results are discussed. Results of anticoagulant prophylaxis have often been poor or negative because these points have been disregarded, and anticoagulation as a therapeutic measure has been criticized when in fact the doctor in charge has been most to blame.
   

Author Affiliations
OSLO, NORWAY

University Hospital.

Footnotes
Received for publication Sept. 4, 1962; accepted Oct. 5.

Read before the Joint Meeting on Anticoagulant and Thrombolytic Therapy with the American Heart Association at the 111th Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association, Chicago, June 26, 1962.

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