The Control of Dicumarol Therapy in Myocardial Infarction by a Simple Blood Prothrombin Test

Abstract

Effective anticoagulant therapy is dependent upon adequate and reliable blood prothrombin determinations. The initiation of such therapy usually requires hospitalization. The currently available blood prothrombin tests require special laboratory facilities and trained personnel. The authors of this report present the results of Dicumarol in myocardial infarction and a simple blood prothrombin test for the control of such anticoagulant therapy. The test has been employed for more than eight years. The method has proved to be simple, accurate, and practical, and has made anticoagulants possible for patients at home as well as in the hospital.