Prophylaxis of recurrent venous thrombosis with long-term enhancement of fibrinolysis.

The effects of 6 months' combined therapy with phenformin and an anabolic steroid were compared in patients with thrombophlebitis migrans (12 patients) and those with superficial thrombophlebitis (15 patients). In both groups of patients an increase in blood fibrinolytic activity, and "capacity" decrease in platelet adhesiveness, plasma fibrinogen, blood lipids, beta lipoproteins as well as serum cholesterol level were found. A statistically significant decrease in frequency of inflammations in patients with thrombophlebitis migrans occurred. In these patients a return of the previously low "fibrinolytic capacity" to normal values was observed. It seems that prolonged activation of fibrinolysis by means of phenformin and an anabolic steriod may be of value in the prophylaxis of venous thrombosis especially thrombophlebitis migrans.